January 23, 2026
Russian military court takes down press release confirming that the cruiser Moskva was hit by Ukrainian missiles, killing 20 crew members
Moscow’s 2nd Western District Military Court has issued a verdict in a case related to the sinking of the cruiser Moskva and an attack on the frigate Admiral Essen in April 2022
TL;DR
- Moscow's 2nd Western District Military Court sentenced Andriy Shubin, commander of Ukraine’s 406th Naval Artillery Brigade, to life in prison in absentia.
- The verdict was related to the sinking of the cruiser Moskva and an attack on the frigate Admiral Essen in April 2022.
- The Russian court acknowledged 20 Moskva crew members died, 24 were wounded, and 8 were missing.
- This marks the first time the court acknowledged the Moskva was hit by a missile strike.
- One person was wounded aboard the frigate Admiral Essen.
- A press release detailing these casualties was removed from the court's website.
- Russia's Defense Ministry previously claimed the Moskva sank due to an onboard fire and ammunition detonation.
- Ukrainian sources reported the ship was struck by two Neptune missiles.
- Some of the deceased sailors were conscripts.