Russian forces secretly try to remove dead sailors from sunken flagship Moskva

RUSSIAN forces have secretly tried to remove the dead from the sunken cruiser Moskva. It comes after allegations that sailors were “left to drown” while “officers fled the ship like rats”. Russian forces have secretly tried to remove the dead from the sunken cruiser Moskva Ukrainian military intelligence claims up to seven vessels had been involved in a two-week salvage op. The Moskva, flagship of Vladimir Putin’s Black Sea Fleet, was sunk on April 14 by Ukrainian missiles. A spokesman for Kyiv’s defence ministry said: “They retrieved the bodies, removed all the equipment that was classified, and cleansed this cruiser.” Relatives of the crew have made allegations that Moscow is trying to cover up what happened. Read more on Ukraine FIGHTING TALK Heroic Zelensky vows Ukraine won't give an inch to Russia in powerful speech SWITCHING UP Ukraine using ‘kamikaze’ Switchblade drones that smash into tanks at 115mph So far Russia has said only one died in the sinking, yet in reality scores were killed or are missing. One missing sailor’s dad said: “There were no rescue efforts. “Officers fled the ship like rats, the sailors were abandoned. “Putin will answer personally.” Most read in The Sun TAKE TO THE FLOOR Maisie Smith announces career move after dramatically quitting EastEnders BYE BLADES Sheffield United release NINE players including McGoldrick and Mousset MIRACLE MAN Gogglebox's Ellie's partner Nat seen for the first time since near-death crash HELPING HAND Sunak could make announcement TOMORROW to help Brits with soaring energy bills CHAMP V CHUMPS Moment gobby students who taunted Joshua are left quaking as he storms flat MOTHER'S LOVE I’m determined to protect my kids from seeing my darkest days, says Dame Debs