Film and photos show Russian cruiser Moskva probably hit by missiles

New photos and a video of the damaged Russian cruiser Moskva show that it was probably struck by anti-ship missiles and then abandoned before the ship sank in the Black Sea.

In the images, which analysts have said appear to be genuine, a plume of black smoke is seen rising from the heavily damaged Moskva, which was reported to have been hit by a Ukrainian missile strike last week.

Several military analysts consulted by the Guardian said the images looked consistent with the Moskva. The source of the photos and the video is unknown and it was first brought to public attention by Osint researchers following the Russian war in Ukraine.

The Russian defence ministry has released very little information about how the ship sank, claiming the damage to the boat was sustained in an accident onboard. The Ukrainian government, along with western intelligence officials, say that the ship was hit by several Ukrainian anti-ship missiles.

The absence of lifeboats onboard would suggest a considerable number of the crew could have been rescued.

But other reports in Russian independent media on Monday suggest that up to 200 sailors could have been wounded in the attack on the ship, which was believed to have had about 500 crew onboard.