However, Russian state RIA is seeking to counter the Ukrainian narrative, saying that the Moskva has been "seriously damaged" due to a fire that broke out on board which detonated ammunition. But there weren't further details provided, resulting in an emerging consensus among Western observers that likely the ship was indeed struck. The Ukrainians said earlier they struck the vessel with two Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles...

Thus like in many other cases in this grinding war, two contrary narratives have quickly emerged...

But while there were reports that over 500 Russian crewmembers could be in immediate danger of sinking, RIA is reporting, ""The crew was completely evacuated. The reasons for the incident are being established"...leaving things still unclear.

The incident suggests things are likely to heat up, also as the US administration has just vowed to ramp up its weapons shipments to Kiev.

Prior footage of a Neptune in action: