Ukraine’s government has celebrated the sinking of Russia’s former Black Sea flagship, the Moskva, on the second anniversary of the event. The sinking occurred less than two months after the start of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, dealing a significant strategic and propaganda blow to Russia. Since the start of the war, Ukraine has targeted Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, leading to the loss of around a third of the fleet according to Ukrainian officials. Operations against the Black Sea Fleet have been a successful part of Kyiv’s war effort.
The Moskva was sunk with domestically-made Neptune missiles close to Snake Island in the Black Sea, a strategic outpost for Ukraine. The U.S. confirmed that Neptune missiles were used in the strike on the guided missile cruiser. Russia initially blamed a fire and munitions blast, before later attributing the sinking to a loss of stability in heavy storms. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry commemorated the event on social media, highlighting the success of the strike against the flagship vessel.
The planning and execution of the operation that led to the sinking of the Moskva were cited as key factors in the success of the strike by Ukrainian officials. Patience, monitoring, and clear planning were crucial in the operation, and the strike on the Moskva demonstrated the readiness of the Ukrainian Navy. The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy stated that the Russian cruiser’s defenses failed to intercept the second Neptune missile, leading to the vessel’s sinking.
Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has targeted several vessels in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet using missiles and naval drones. A number of landing ships, a reconnaissance vessel, a corvette, and a patrol ship have all been struck by Ukraine in 2024. Russia has responded by fortifying its Black Sea bases and moving assets further east to avoid Ukrainian attacks. Decoys and false silhouettes are being used to ward off drone and missile strikes, and additional protection is being put in place around Russian vessels.
The ongoing conflict in the Black Sea highlights the tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with Ukraine’s successful targeting of Russian vessels serving as a key aspect of its war efforts. The sinking of the Moskva represented a significant blow to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, with around a third of the fleet being lost since the start of the conflict. Both sides are employing strategies to outmaneuver and counter each other’s attacks, with Ukraine using missiles and drones, while Russia is fortifying its bases and vessels to protect against further strikes. The situation in the Black Sea remains volatile as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues.
