The first images emerged on Monday purportedly showing the damaged Russian cruiser Moskva soon after it was ‘struck by Ukrainian missiles’. 

The Moskva missile cruiser sank in the Black Sea in the early hours on Thursday, reportedly after being hit by a Ukrainian missile. The Russian government did not acknowledge any losses or give any detailed account of what happened on board, however mother’s of soldiers who died have said at least 40 were killed.

Footage released by Russia’s defence ministry over the weekend showed the ship’s crew back at their home base but the crew appeared to be at least one half of the 500 men believed to have been onboard.

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4. Evacuation order issued for Luhansk region

Residents in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine have been urged to evacuate immediately, Ukrainian news agency Unian has reported. 

It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is planning an offensive in eastern Ukraine that will begin in the “near future”.

The President claimed Russia wanted to “literally finish off and destroy Donbas”.

“Russian troops are preparing for an offensive operation in the east of our country. It will begin in the near future,” Zelensky said. 

“They want to literally finish off and destroy Donbas. Destroy everything that once gave glory to this industrial region. 

“Just as the Russian troops are destroying Mariupol, they want to wipe out other cities and communities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.”

5. Mariupol effectively doesn’t exist anymore, says minister

Ukraine’s foreign minister described the situation in Mariupol as dire and heartbreaking and said Russia’s continued attacks there could be a “red line” that ends all efforts to reach peace through negotiation.

Dmytro Kuleba told CBS’ Face the Nation programme that the remaining Ukrainian military personnel and civilians in the port city are basically encircled by Russian forces.

He said the Ukrainians “continue their struggle” but that the city effectively doesn’t exist anymore because of massive destruction.

It comes as Russian troops are allegedly issuing “movement passes” to people who remain in Mariupol, an advisor to the mayor has alleged. 

Petro Andriushchenko, who is not currently in the city, shared a photo on Telegram on Sunday that appeared to show people queuing in the city. 

“Hundreds of citizens have to stand in line to get a pass, without which next week it will be impossible not only to move between districts of the city, but also to be on the streets,” he wrote.

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