Originally Posted by
oxenos
I suspect that it was scuttled. Sooner or later evidence would have emerged as to whether it was hit by missiles or caught fire. Now it is sunk, the Russians can stick to their story.
I agree. Pictures of a badly damaged vessel being towed into port would also have been great propaganda for the Ukrainians/terrible for the Russians, and I doubt the Russians have the ability currently to repair her.
And as for the sailors all being rescued, we only have Russian reports for that. Fire and explosion on a ship at night in rough weather is rarely 100% survivable.