The Russians have not lied about anything in their reports. They have no need to, when the Ukrainians lie by reflex. It is more important for their reports to be unimpeachable. In this case, I have seen a post-event photo of the Makarov in perfect health. Ukraine loves to count coup where nothing has happened.
The fate of the Moskva is complicated by the final details. It could have taken a hit by anti-shipping missiles, but maybe not fatal in itself. Munitions stores could have exploded and caught/created a fire, which could have worsened or created new damage. There was some kind of hull penetration and water intrusion, because the available photograph shows a pronounced list to port. It was under tow and a sudden squall came up (not uncommon in the Black Sea). Under high sea states, a listing vessel is a vulnerable object, could take water and capsize. So, to say it was killed by the Neptune missiles is a bit like saying a pneumonia victim died "with Covid."
The Russians have not lied about anything in their reports. They have no need to, when the Ukrainians lie by reflex. It is more important for their reports to be unimpeachable. In this case, I have seen a post-event photo of the Makarov in perfect health. Ukraine loves to count coup where nothing has happened.
The fate of the Moskva is complicated by the final details. It could have taken a hit by anti-shipping missiles, but maybe not fatal in itself. Munitions stores could have exploded and caught/created a fire, which could have worsened or created new damage. There was some kind of hull penetration and water intrusion, because the available photograph shows a pronounced list to port. It was under tow and a sudden squall came up (not uncommon in the Black Sea). Under high sea states, a listing vessel is a vulnerable object, could take water and capsize. So, to say it was killed by the Neptune missiles is a bit like saying a pneumonia victim died "with Covid."