The Russian missile cruiser Moskva, which was over 600 feet long and more than 12,000 tons, was the biggest warship by tonnage to sink during conflict since World War II. As the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, it carried symbolic significance in addition to its military role, and its demise recalled great naval battles of the past that are remembered as turning points.
The last time Russia lost a flagship in wartime was the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05, when Japan sank the battleship Prince Suvorov during the battle of Tsushima that secured Russia’s defeat. Here’s a look at other major sinkings in 20th-century history:
To Read the Full Story