Conflict coverage · Eastern Europe

Sinking of the cruiser Moskva

14 Apr 2022Key eventBlack Sea

MilitaryMaritimeBlack Sea and export routes

Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles sink the Black Sea Fleet flagship — corroborated by US officials after initial Russian denial. The largest warship lost in combat since 1945.

Why it mattersA navy without capital ships sinks the enemy flagship with a domestic missile: the opening act of the sea-denial campaign that would eventually push the fleet from the northwestern Black Sea, and a lasting blow to the fleet's air-defence umbrella and prestige.

Confidence: HighSources: Established historical record · Official government statements · Established international media reportingMethodology Corrections

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Related structure

5 records that this event names, or that name it. Every one is an explicit reference in a published record — nothing here is inferred from subject matter.

Part of

Campaigns whose record places this event inside them.

Black SeaBlockade and the loss of seaborne export
Deep strikeEarly and improvised reach

Participants

Organisations this event records, with the role and confidence it states.

Black Sea Fleet · atlasAffected organisationhigh confidence
Coastal Missile Forces · atlasParticipantmoderate confidence

Also named

Neptune

Where this fits

This is one entry in the Ukraine–Russia timeline. The full Key Events surface carries every dated turning point with its filters and its essential subset, and this event in place shows what came before and after it. How Vigil grades, dates and sources its claims is set out in the methodology.