Russian Flagship Moskva May Have Carried Nukes When It Sank

Fears are growing that Russia’s Black Sea flagship Moskva may be carrying nuclear warheads when it was sunk by Ukrainian forces, experts warn.

This comes as Moskva sank Thursday after Ukraine officials said they successfully hit the Russian flagship using their own developed anti-ship cruise missile “Neptune”.

Russia however, maintains that the sinking of their flagship was due to a fire on board.

According to analysts, Russia may be carrying at least two nuclear warheads onboard the Moskva when it sank.

Ukrainian media outlets also affirmed the possibility of nuclear warheads being on board the Moskva as several news outlets, including the Ukrainian online newspaper Defence Express and BlackSeaNews.

BlackSeaNews editor-in-chief Andrii Klymenko also called for an urgent international investigation into whether Moskva may have indeed carried nuclear weapons, urging Black Sea coastal countries to demand an explanation.

Moreover, the deputy director of the Lviv-based Centre for Army Studies, Conversion, and Disarmament, Mykhailo Samus, also gave a warning.

“On board the Moskva could be nuclear warheads – two units,” Samus said.

However, the United States is refuting the claims as CNN reported Friday that the US does not believe the ship was carrying nuclear weapons, citing two senior US intelligence officials.

Moskva carrying nuclear weapons will be a concern for the rest of Europe, as Russian President Vladimir Putin placed Russia’s nuclear forces on high alert last February 27.

Moreover, Putin’s main spokesperson said in March that the Russian president could use nuclear weapons if he perceives an “existential threat” to Russia. (GFB)