Read an interesting speculation earlier today, to the effect that the black vertical line on the hull (just forward of the green box highlighting the deployed life rafts) indicates Moskva's back may have been broken.
The picture was clearly taken after the crew abandoned ship, in addition to the missing liferafts there's nobody topside manning a hose.
I'd agree with the broken back theory, close examination of the crack shows the hull forward of it is offset to port of the hull aft of the crack. Additionally, the after radar mast is gone and the radar dishes on the forward mast also appear to be missing. This and the lack of wreckage topside makes me think that she was pushed violently astern, causing the after mast to snap off, heading forward. Any "ammo explosion" must have been somehow completely contained internally as there's no visible above deck damage consistent with an explosion.
She's settling as well as listing, 2/3 of her freeboard is underwater. This would tend to argue against her turning turtle.
This is more, convincingly more, evidence that semisubmersibles and not plastics are the future for navies.
Read an interesting speculation earlier today, to the effect that the black vertical line on the hull (just forward of the green box highlighting the deployed life rafts) indicates Moskva's back may have been broken.
The picture was clearly taken after the crew abandoned ship, in addition to the missing liferafts there's nobody topside manning a hose.
I'd agree with the broken back theory, close examination of the crack shows the hull forward of it is offset to port of the hull aft of the crack. Additionally, the after radar mast is gone and the radar dishes on the forward mast also appear to be missing. This and the lack of wreckage topside makes me think that she was pushed violently astern, causing the after mast to snap off, heading forward. Any "ammo explosion" must have been somehow completely contained internally as there's no visible above deck damage consistent with an explosion.
She's settling as well as listing, 2/3 of her freeboard is underwater. This would tend to argue against her turning turtle.
This is a bigger deal than the news networks are making it.
Its akin to the deathstar being destroyed in the first star wars movie.
Unfortunately that was a trilogy and. Im afraid the corrupt & incompetent empire is about to strike back.