Nuclear weapons pose a threat not just when deployed but even in unintended scenarios.
The sinking of a warship like the Moskva, potentially carrying nuclear armaments, is a reminder of that risk.
Questions about the sunken flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet linger over a year after its destruction.
According to Stepan Yakimiak, a retired Ukrainian naval officer, it is plausible that the Moskva carried nuclear warheads when it was sunk by Ukrainian forces in April 2022.
Speaking to Ukrainska Pravda, Yakimiak shared his reasoning:
“Of the 16 missiles on board, at least two, possibly four, could have been nuclear. That’s my estimate. I haven’t seen classified documents, but this aligns with standard military procedures.”
Prepared for Immediate Combat
The Moskva was designed during the Soviet era for missions involving NATO fleets. Its armament featured P-500 Bazalt or P-1000 Vulkan cruise missiles, both capable of carrying nuclear payloads., according to Ziare.
Yakimiak explained that vessels like the Moskva were typically prepared for both immediate and prolonged combat missions.
He noted, “For what Russia called a 'special military operation,' the ship would have been ready for nuclear and conventional missions alike.”
The ship, considered the pride of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, met its end after being struck by Ukrainian Neptune missiles. On April 14, 2022, the flagship sank, becoming a symbolic loss for Moscow.
But Yakimiak suggests its final missions included stops at Sevastopol, potentially to restock supplies — or nuclear missiles.
The prospect of nuclear warheads resting on the Black Sea floor has alarmed observers. While Yakimiak’s claims remain unverified, they align with the ship’s original purpose and readiness protocols.
“Given my knowledge of military preparation, it’s likely the Moskva was armed for strategic deterrence,” he said.
