CLARIFICATION: This story was published with an image of Vladimir Putin, however the statement referred to in the headline is attributed to Russian state TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva (left of featured image), and not the Russian president.
A Russian news reporter has claimed World War Three has already started following the sinking of one of the country’s most prized warships.
Yesterday (14 April), it was revealed that the Moskva ship sank below the surface of the ocean, with Ukraine taking responsibility for the incident, claiming it came following a missile strike from their side.
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Although the Kremlin did not acknowledge that Ukraine was to blame for the sinking of its Black Sea fleet flagship, saying it started due to a fire that caused an explosion of the warship’s ammunition, Kyiv was hit by heavy explosions overnight.
And on Friday morning (15 April), Russia claimed it had destroyed a Ukrainian plant that manufactures anti-ship missiles and other rockets.
Some believe the attack is a retaliation to the Moskva sinking which, if confirmed to be due to Ukrainian forces, will be one of the most devastating blows to Moscow’s war efforts.
Following the news, a report led by leading Russian TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva on the state-run channel Rossiya 1 has said that the conflict in Ukraine has descended into World War Three.
Skabeyeva, who is one of Vladimir Putin’s leading propagandists on the channel, said: “What it’s escalated into can safely be called World War Three. That’s entirely for sure.
“Now we’re definitely fighting against Nato infrastructure, if not Nato itself. We need to recognise that.”
Numerous people have taken to social media to comment on the segment, with one writing: “In a rant seemingly aimed at explaining to viewers why the ‘special operation in Ukraine’ is taking so long, Russian state TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva says her country is fighting World War Three against Nato.”
Regarding the sinking of the Moskva, Russia's state-owned media said the ship sank while it was being towed back to a port in the region during stormy conditions.
The Tass news agency stated: "As a result of a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser, ammunition detonated. The source of the blaze on the Moskva has been contained. The explosions of ammunition have stopped."
According to Ukrainian officials, the 12,500-tonne ship had been hit by two of its anti-ship missiles. It's believed the 500-strong crew have also been saved.
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Odesa's governor Maksim Marchenko wrote on Telegram: "It has been confirmed that the missile cruiser Moscow today went exactly where it was sent by our border guards on Snake Island!
"Neptune missiles guarding the Black Sea caused very serious damage to the Russian ship. Glory to Ukraine!"
The Moskva missile cruiser was a significant vessel in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On February 24 when Russia launched its attack, the warship began an assault on Snake Island, a small Ukrainian island in the Black Sea with just one village and less than 30 people.
During the attack, Russian forces asked the small contingent of Ukrainian soldiers to surrender.
"Put down your arms and surrender, or you will be bombed. Have you understood me? Do you copy?" they said, to which the Ukrainians replied: "Russian warship, go f**k yourself."
In the initial reports surrounding the Snake Island assault, it was believed the 13 Ukrainian soldiers were all killed.
However, they were actually taken into custody by Russian forces and later released as part of a prisoner exchange.
Roman Gribov, who told the warship 'go f**k yourself', has since been awarded the highest Ukrainian honour: the Hero of Ukraine.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News
Daisy Phillipson