Russian Defence Ministry today said, the warship Moskva which was damaged by an explosion on Wednesday, has sunk.<br />''<br />''The Ministry said, Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, was being towed to port when stormy seas caused it to sink. The 510-crew missile cruiser was a symbol of Russia's military power, leading its naval assault on Ukraine.<br />''<br />''Meanwhile, Ukraine has claimed that its missiles hit the warship, while Russia refuted the claim and said, the blaze caused the explosion of the warship's ammunition and the entire crew were later evacuated to nearby Russian vessels in the Black Sea. The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital is a devastating symbolic defeat for Moscow as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital, Kyiv.<br />''<br />''The Moskva had the capacity to carry 16 long-range cruise missiles and its removal reduces Russia's firepower in the Black Sea.<br />''<br />''The ship's sinking was described by the US as a 'big blow', but American officials were unable to confirm whether Ukrainian Neptune missiles were responsible.<br />''<br />''<br />