Russia Hits Kyiv Missile Plant; Retaliation For Sinking Black Sea Cruiser

The Russia-Ukraine conflict got tenser recently with a couple of key developments from each side.

On one end, Ukraine missiles allegedly shot down the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet. It was a huge statement on the part of Ukraine, sending a strong message to Moscow’s war efforts.

In a report from Reuters, Kyiv claims it hit the cruiser Moskva with missiles fired from the coast. Russia confirmed that the ship sank as it was being towed in stormy seas after a fire that broke out caused an explosion of ammunition.

Although Russia is saying that the warship went down because of the fire, Ukraine officials are claiming otherwise and alleged that two cruise missiles struck the vessel, Fox News reported.

Moscow added that more than 500 sailors were evacuated. However, it was not stated as the fate of the crew.

"During the towing of the cruiser Moskva to the port of destination, the ship lost its stability due to hull damage received during a fire from the detonation of ammunition. In the conditions of stormy seas, the ship sank," Russia’s Ministry of Defense told state media.

The Moskva is Russia’s largest vessel in the Black Sea fleet and was equipped with guided missiles meant to shoot down planes and attack shores and radar to provide air defense cover for the fleet.

It is the same ship that gained attention at the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict when a group of soldiers defending Snake Island told its operators to “go f*ck yourself instead of surrendering.

This comes not long after the ministry claimed it had downed a Ukrainian helicopter in an attack on Thursday on a Russian border village. The incident destroyed up to 30 Polish missionaries, resulting in the seized control of a plant in Mariupol.

Also, a mechanic at a car repair shop in Kyiv claimed that there were at least three strikes on Friday, Apr. 15, targeting an industrial building across the street from his workplace.