Kyiv/Lviv - Powerful explosions were heard in Kyiv on Friday and fighting raged in the east after Ukraine claimed responsibility for the sinking of the Russian navy's Black Sea flagship. Ukraine’s president hailed his people for their resolve since Russia invaded in February and for making “the most important decision of their life — to fight.”

The explosions appeared to be among the most significant in Ukraine's capital region since Russian troops pulled back from the area earlier this month in preparation for battles in the south and east.

The Moskva missile cruiser, a soviet-era ship, that Ukraine hit with a Neptune anti-ship missile sank on Thursday as it was being towed to port following a fire and explosions, Russia's defence ministry said. The 500 crew onboard the cruiser was evacuated.

Moskva’s loss is a setback for Russia and a major boost for Ukraine's defenders.

In his nightly address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainians late Thursday that they should be proud of having survived 50 days under Russian attack when the invaders “gave us a maximum of five.”

Listing the ways Ukraine has defended against the onslaught, Zelenskyy noted “those who showed that Russian warships can sail away, even if it’s to the bottom” of the sea.
-Reuters/Ap