Ukrainian forces said they struck and badly damaged the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, and Russia said its crew was forced to evacuate as a result of the fire without admitting to an attack. The battle shifted to the east in and around the battered town of Mariupol, where reports claim that the defenders were still out.
Odessa Region Governor Maxim Marchenko said the Ukrainian guided missile cruiser Moskva was hit by two missiles and caused “serious damage”. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that the ship was damaged, but not that it had been hit by Ukraine – it said that the ammunition on board exploded as a result of the fire of as yet undetermined cause. The entire crew was evacuated, it added; Cruisers usually have about 500 on board.