Russia admits Black Sea warship in flames as Ukraine claims missile strikeApril 14, 2022 - 14:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - There has been a fire on board the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, Moscow has admitted, with Ukraine claiming to have hit it with anti-ship missiles, Sky News reports. Russia's defense ministry said the Moskva missile cruiser had been badly damaged after ammunition on board was blown up in the flames. "As a result of a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser, ammunition detonated," it said in comments reported by the Tass news agency. The crew - believed to number about 500 - evacuated and were all saved, it added. The ministry did not comment on what had caused the initial fire, saying it was under investigation. Two Ukrainian sources told Sky News the 12,500 tonne ship had been hit by anti-ship missiles launched by the Ukrainian military. "She is on fire," one of the sources said. "The level of damage is being clarified… She is about 25 nautical miles from Snake Island." Two Neptune missiles were used, Ukrainian media reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |