Disaster struck during the Kiev Military District's maneuvers last week near Kherson. Bombardment ship Marshal Kutuzov, completed only a few months ago, was participating in a prepatory fire on a mock fortified target when she suffered an accident which ignighted her supply of propellant charges for her 305mm gun. Of her crew of 125 officers and men, 17 survived uninjured, 46 were wounded, and the remains of 48 have been recovered. A search continues for the missing. Her sister ship, Marshal Suvorov, was taken out of service immediately, and placed at the disposal of an Investagatory Commission under Captain first Rank Yevgeniy Ivanovich Orlov. As of yet, this reporter has been unable to interview Captain Orlov. Several eyewittnesses say that they observed the explosion, but were unable to elucidate the cause. A salvage operation is underway, in the hope of shedding additional light on the events which led up to this tragedy.
Friday, April 26th 2024, 1:30am
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