Russia admits its 14,500 tonne cruiser Moskva, flagship of the Black Seas Fleet, sank on April 14, 2022, with no reported casualties (?). It remains unclear whether Moskva’s fire (resulting in ammunition exploding) was caused by Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles. The fire apparently started around 100km off the Ukrainian coast, well within the 300+ km range of truck launched Neptune missiles. It is unclear whether Moskva was carrying any nuclear warheads on some of its SS-N-12 Sandbox large supersonic "carrier killer" cruise missiles.
The fire may have been yet another instance of poor Russian maintenance, seen earlier in the submarines Kursk, Orel and Losharik, not to mention a crane and fire damaging Russian carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.
11 comments:
Ironically enough, the Moskva was actually built in Mykolaiv, Ukraine.
Hi Pete
Neptune is based on Kh-35, which uses fight mission data from GPS and homing data from homing head [1, 2]. Then, who provided GPS data of Moscow to Ukraine Navy? The provider of GPS data, which has technology of advanced satellite surveillance system, is strong enough to endure fury of Russia, suggesting USA did it.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-360_Neptune
Neptune's design is based on the Soviet Kh-35 anti-ship missile, with substantially improved range and electronics
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kh-35
“Target designation data can be introduced into the missile from the launch aircraft or ship or external sources. Flight mission data is inserted into the missile control system after input of target coordinates. An inertial system controls the missile in flight, stabilizes it at an assigned altitude and brings it to a target location area. At a certain target range, the homing head is switched on to search for, lock on and track the target. The inertial control system then turns the missile toward the target and changes its flight altitude to an extremely low one. At this altitude, the missile continues the process of homing by the data fed from the homing head and the inertial control system until a hit is obtained.”
Regards
Further to Gessler’s comments, I think the fact that Ukraine built this ship is significant. Lots of people would have known its weaknesses.
The Russian explanation of fire is implausible when you consider that the USNI also reported other Russian vessels had dropped back to further than 80nm from Odessa. Why retreat if it was a fire? Stay and help the Moskva fight it.
In fact the Russian counter explanation is hardly flattering. Either the flagship was incapable of stopping two 1980s technology sea skinning SSMs, or the crew was incapable of stopping a basic fire before it became catastrophic. So either the ship can’t defend itself or the crew can’t perform damage control.
From now on any potential enemy faced with a Slava will be tempted to fire four Harpoon equivalent SSMs attacking from opposite sides confident a Slava can’t stop both lots. And whether the deficiency is in design, maintenance or seamanship, what does it say about the value of the Russian Navy’s remaining stops of Slavas, Sovremenny and Udaloy destroyers? They are all of similar vintage with similar radar systems. None have a phased array.
To me this isn’t just embarrassing for Putin. It damages the credibility of the Russian Navy.
Besides, the Russian claims are flatly contradicted by Turkish reports that a Turkish ship (not Russian) picked up 54 survivors.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-war/turkish-ship-rescued-54-sailors-on-damaged-russian-naval-cruiser-moskva/2564125
Oleg7700 has left a new comment on your post "Justice! Russian Cruiser "Moskva" Sinks.":
https://twitter.com/i/status/1515088704423051271 Authenticity not confirmed Sentinel-1 еxtreme zoom on the "Moskva"
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9afd35deec3d2b99ef6379866c54b68fa802f2571e095bb16871bd8932317d36.jpg?w=480&h=148
https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Russische-kruiser-Moskva-gezonken-140422.html
Regards.
"A ship, understood to be Moskva, is seen surrounded by smaller vessels. The image is created using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) which can see through clouds. According to Russian accounts she was on fire and exploded. And sunk later while under tow" https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/04/satellite-image-pinpoints-russian-cruiser-moskva-as-she-burned/ Add images...
Losharik accident is not a faulty maintenance one. They were using a lithium ion prototype battery
Regards
Thanks Gessler
As well as Moskva, Russia's only carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, was also built in what is now Ukraine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_aircraft_carrier_Admiral_Kuznetsov
Cheers Pete
Thanks Anonymous [at Apr 15, 2022, 10:06:00 PM]
Moskva/Slava is a very old ship, launched 1979. I think it more likely Russia's world wide reputation for poor naval maintenance and second rate damage control (even on nuclear subs) led to a fire, followed by ammunition explosions.
Looking at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_cruiser_Moskva#Casualties of Moskva's 485 to 510 crew only 54 may have been saved, suggesting at least 429 crew may have died in the accidental sinking.
Putin concentrating on submarine construction over surface ship maintenance is to blame and he should compensate the next of kin - from his personal $Billions in overseas bank accounts.
Hi Anonymous [at Apr 16, 2022, 5:27:00 PM]
What you've written is very plausible. And see my reply of Apr 17, 2022, 6:34:00 PM directly above.
Putin's should resign or be "regime changed" due to Putin ordering the attack on Ukraine and now losing Moskva.
Thanks Oleg7700 [for your posts at Apr 16, 2022, 7:32:00 PM and Apr 17, 2022, 3:59:00 AM]
The links you've provided are very useful
especially https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Russische-kruiser-Moskva-gezonken-140422.html
on Moskva actually sinking in calm seas and Putin's order that the
Russian Navy NOT release casualty details.
CNN has proven that my speculation on Apr 15, 2022, 10:06:00 PM (USA had provided GPS data of Moscow to Ukraine Navy) was right [1].
[1] https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/05/politics/us-intelligence-russian-moskva-warship-ukraine-target/index.html
US provided intelligence that helped Ukraine target Russian warship
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