INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia said Friday that one crew member died and 27 were missing after the Moskva missile cruiser sank last week, Moscow's first admission
of the losses following the tragedy.The flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet had been leading Russia's naval effort in the nearly two-month
conflict in Ukraine, playing a central role in the siege of the port city of Mariupol.After the Moskva sank, parents and other family
the defense ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies late Friday."One serviceman was killed, another 27 crew members
went missing," the ministry said, adding that "the remaining 396 members" had been evacuated.A senior Pentagon official said the Moskva
warship was hit by two Ukrainian missiles before it sank in the Black Sea.The Russian defense ministry made the announcement after
authorities first said that all crew members had been evacuated."The Russian defense ministry is providing all the necessary support and
servicemen wished to continue their service aboard vessels of the Black Sea Fleet.In recent days, a number of Russian parents called for the
truth about their missing children, but the Kremlin had previously refused to reveal any details about the casualties aboard the warship
which is able to carry up to 680 sailors.Several families have said on social media or in statements to independent Russian or foreign press
that they cannot find their children who were serving on the Moskva.One parent, Dmitry Shkrebets, said on social media that when he tried to
learn more about the fate of his missing son, the commander of the cruiser and his deputy had gone incommunicado.Asked to comment on the
situation on Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said the Kremlin was not at liberty to reveal any details.Meduza, an independent
died.Around 100 men were wounded while the precise number of missing is unknown, the publication said.Some 500 people were on board when the
Moskva was hit, Meduza said, citing the source.
