Here’s what we know and what sinking means (and doesn’t mean) for Russian defenses:
Of what capabilities does the collapse deprive Russia?
Russia has powerful air defense systems deployed in Crimea, which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014, but the Moskva could have provided greater mobile and long-range air protection for the entire Black Sea Fleet and was a command and control center. in high sea. The loss of her could leave the fleet more exposed, particularly on long-range missions west of Crimea.
What happened to the crew?
The ship had a crew of around 500 sailors who Russia said were successfully evacuated to other ships on Friday before being returned to their home port of Sevastopol in Crimea. Ukraine has suggested deaths were likely, but Russia has yet to say anything on the matter.
Will it change the course of the conflict in Ukraine?
Probably not, but Britain’s Defense Ministry says its loss is likely to prompt Russia to review its naval position in the Black Sea.
While it was a major blow to Russian morale, the navy has so far not played a major role in what Moscow calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine. Russia retains naval dominance in the region and the Moskva was primarily equipped to destroy enemy ships at sea, although little remains of Ukraine’s navy.
Was he destined for a role in the current conflict?
It’s unclear, but some analysts say it may have helped support an eventual Russian landing in the Ukrainian port of Odessa, which has yet to happen due to resistance from local forces. Its collapse could be seen in some sectors of Ukraine as reducing the chances of such an attack and allowing Ukraine to redeploy some of its forces to other areas.
Can Russia easily replace the capabilities of the Moskva?
No. Russia has two other ships of the same class, the Marshal Ustinov and the Varyag, which make up Russia’s Northern and Pacific fleets, respectively. Turkey, which controls access to the Black Sea through the Bosporus, will not let them in during times of war.
Was the Moskva armed with extraordinary weapons?
No. It had anti-ship missiles and surface-to-air missiles, but it was not equipped with Russia’s state-of-the-art Kalibr cruise missiles or hypersonic missiles.
How modern was the ship?
Not too much. Designed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s during the Cold War, it was intended to destroy US aircraft carriers and was in service for nearly four decades. It underwent an extensive refurbishment and, according to the British Ministry of Defense, returned to operational status in 2021. Despite that operation, some of its hardware remained obsolete.
How significant is the fact Russian military morale?
It is a bitter loss for the Russian military as the ship, though aged, was a symbol of the Crimea-based Black Sea Fleet and Russian military pride. If she was hit by Ukrainian anti-ship missiles, she would be the most significant Russian warship lost in action since 1941, when German bombers riddled the Soviet battleship Marat in the port of Kronshtadt.
Western diplomats and experts expect senior Black Sea Fleet officers to lose their ranks over the sinking.
Source: Ambito
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