Russia Says Warship Sinks After Explosion; Ukraine Says Its Missile Is Responsible

The Russian Navy's guided missile cruiser Moskva sails back into a harbor in the port of Sevastopol, Crimea, on Nov. 16, 2021. Alexey Pavlishak/Reuters

Russia said its lead warship in the Black Sea sank on Thursday after an explosion and fire that Ukraine claimed was caused by a missile strike.

The Moskva, Russia’s flagship in its Black Sea fleet, sank as it was being towed to port in stormy weather, Russian news agencies quoted the defense ministry as saying.