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Russia-Ukraine war latest: explosions in Kyiv after sinking of Russian warship; fighting reported at Mariupol steel plant – live

Link [2022-04-15 16:33:43]

Russian defence ministry threatens increase in attacks on Kyiv after Russian flagship sinks; Ukraine troops use Mariupol steelwork as hold-out

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The UK’s Ministry of Defence has responded to reports of the apparent attack on and sinking of Russia’s Black Sea fleet’s flagship.

The report, released shortly after 6am GMT, reads:

Russia has admitted that the Slava-class cruiser Moskva has sunk. As flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, the Moskva served a key role as both a command vessel and air defence node.

The Soviet-era vessel was one of only three Slava-class cruisers in the Russian navy. Originally commissioned in 1979, the Moskva had completed an extensive refit designed to improve its capability and only returned to operational status in 2021.

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