Footage emerges purportedly of Russia's stricken cruiser Moskva before it sank

Pictures, video show ship listing to port with smoke pouring from damaged superstructure, life rafts missing and no sign of crew on board

Video and photos emerged on social media Monday purporting to show a stricken Russian warship before it sank last week, as the result of what Ukraine said was a successful missile strike on the vessel.

The cruiser Moskva, Russia’s flagship in the Black Sea, had been leading the naval effort in the conflict that began on February 24 with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Images and video footage appear to have been taken from a rescue ship during operations to attempt to save the vessel and tow it back to port.

They show the stricken ship from the left side, sitting low in the water and leaning to port. The ship’s life-rafts are missing and there is no crew in sight. Smoke can be seen billowing from the hull.

Black marks along the side of the hull just below the deck may have been caused by smoke pouring out of portholes. However, there is also damage close to the waterline, which seems to back Ukraine’s claim that it scored two hits on the vessel with its Neptune anti-ship missiles.

The ship sank on April 14. Russia’s defense ministry has not acknowledged Ukraine’s claims it sank the ship, saying the blast that brought it down was the result of exploding ammunition. It added that the resulting damage had caused it to “lose its balance” as it was being towed to port. It has also said the crew was evacuated.

Short video purportedly showing the Moskva cruiser (published on telegram) – matches pictures circulating on social media pic.twitter.com/TAuwPFDJUg

— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) April 18, 2022

The Russian missile cruiser Moskva patrols in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Syria, on December 17, 2015. (Max DELANY / AFP)

On Saturday, a parade was held in the port of Sevastopol, Crimea, which was annexed by Russia from Ukraine. Moscow published a video of the event that it said showed the crew and its captain meeting with Black Sea Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov. Analysts have noted there were around 150-250 crew in the video from the event, though the ship usually carries 510 sailors.

It is not known whether Russian sailors were killed on board.

First footage of the rescued Moskva crew in Sevastopol. No information yet regarding casualties pic.twitter.com/OSSOVHHNg2

— Pjotr Sauer (@PjotrSauer) April 16, 2022

The Pentagon has backed Ukraine’s version that the ship was hit by Ukrainian missiles.

The Russian fleet in the Black Sea has been blockading the besieged port city of Mariupol, where Russian officials say they are in full control, although Ukrainian fighters are still holed up in the city’s fortress-like steelworks.