A Russian military court has effectively confirmed that the Moskva missile cruiser was hit by Ukrainian missiles and has revealed information about the number of crew members killed and missing.

According to Mediazona, the court published this information but removed it from its website shortly afterward.

The flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva cruiser, sank on April 14, 2022, in the Black Sea near Snake Island.

At the time, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that a fire on board caused ammunition to detonate. Ukraine, however, said the ship was struck by two Neptune anti-ship missiles.The launch of the Neptune anti-ship missile system. Spring 2022. Screenshot from a video by Oleksandr Turchynov

The Second Western District Military Court in Moscow has delivered an in-absentia verdict in the case concerning the sinking of the cruiser Moskva.

The commander of Ukraine’s Naval Forces’ 406th Artillery Brigade was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment. Russian investigators accuse him of ordering missile strikes on the Moskva cruiser and the frigate Admiral Essen.

In addition, the court ruled to recover 2.2 billion rubles from the Ukrainian officer – approximately $29 million.

The court’s press service stated that “as a result of the explosion, fire, and heavy smoke, 20 members of the cruiser’s crew were killed, and 24 sailors sustained injuries of varying severity.

Another eight individuals are missing, including during efforts to save the ship, which lasted more than six hours.”

According to the court, one person was injured as a result of the attack on the frigate Admiral Essen. (MILITARNYI)