Since the onset of the conflict, the Ukrainian military has successfully destroyed 5,260 units of enemy equipment, marking a significant achievement in its defense efforts. Among these, the sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva stands out as the most costly military loss for Russia in the ongoing war with Ukraine.

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On the night of April 14, two Ukrainian Neptune missiles struck the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva, which was equipped with the most advanced weaponry. According to Vladislav Nazarov, an officer of the Southern Operational Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the cruiser capsized and began sinking following a fire and a powerful explosion of its ammunition, despite efforts by other vessels to assist.

In 2021, Ukraine invested $26 million in Neptune missiles, which, with two precise strikes, inflicted $750 million in losses on Russia. Forbes estimated this value by comparing the Moskva to a similar-class cruiser, Ukraine, which was valued at $720 million in 1995.

The cruiser underwent repairs in 2020, with an estimated cost of 30 billion rubles, or $363 million as of April 14. The entire crew, numbering between 500 and 760, was evacuated, according to Russian media outlets TASS and RIA Novosti, citing Russia’s Ministry of Defense. Full evacuation suggests the ship could not remain afloat and would be sunk.

Russia denies the missile strike, claiming a fire and ammunition detonation occurred on board. The Russian Ministry of Defense also asserts that the ship remains afloat and is being towed to port. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby corroborates that the cruiser is still afloat and likely headed for repairs in Sevastopol.

Later, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the cruiser sank while being towed to port. The Moskva had participated in operations near Snake Island in the Odessa region, where Ukrainian forces reportedly told the cruiser, ‘Russian warship, go to ***.’

Before the Moskva’s destruction, Russia’s most expensive loss was the Il-76 transport aircraft, valued at $86 million. Overall, the Ukrainian military has destroyed 160 aircraft worth $3.8 billion. Following the Il-76, the large landing ship Saratov, valued at $75 million, was targeted by Ukrainian forces on March 24. The Saratov was the first Russian combat ship to enter an occupied port, delivering military equipment, including armored vehicles, and participated in the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

In total, Forbes estimates that since the full-scale invasion began, Russia has lost over $10.8 billion worth of military equipment, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces have reduced to scrap metal valued at $45 million. The Moskva’s estimated worth was $750 million, and Forbes has compiled a ranking of the most expensive Russian military equipment destroyed in the war.

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