Photographs released by the country’s Defense Ministry show sailors coming face to face with Admiral Nikolai Gevlenov in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.
According to a statement, the commander-in-chief told the crew that they would continue to serve in the navy.
Image: Russia claims Moskva sank due to ammunition
Last war in Ukraine: Putin “thinks Russia is winning”
In a 26-second video, Mr Yevmenov and two other officers appear to be standing in front of dozens of soldiers at a parade site – but it is unclear when the meeting took place.
Moscow has confirmed that the Moskva sank after an ammunition explosion late Wednesday night – and that it happened while the missile cruiser was being towed to the port in rough seas.
Ukraine says it has hit the ship – the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet – with rockets after allegedly using a drone to divert its radar attention. The United States later said it believed Moskva had been hit by two Ukrainian Neptune anti-aircraft missiles.
While Russia said all 500 crew members were rescued after the blast, Ukrainian officials said there were casualties.
Image: Anton Kuprin, captain of the Moskva flagship sunk in the Black Sea. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Russia
Captain Anton Kuprin is said to be among those killed, but no evidence has been provided to confirm this.
The Pentagon believes there have been Russian casualties, although the exact number remains unclear at this stage.
Image: The admiral told the sailors that they would remain in the navy. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Russia
It is not yet known why Moskva’s air defense systems were not kicked out – but the missiles may have come at high angles that escaped them or a drone may have distracted them.
Maintenance problems may also be possible – and air defense systems may not be activated.
Moskva first entered service with the Soviet Navy in 1983.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
3:18 What does the sinking of Moscow mean for Russia?
Defense and Security Analyst Michael Clark said that while the loss of Moskva does not deprive the Russian navy of much potential, it is certainly a major blow to its prestige.
He wrote: “The cruiser served as a control center for the approximately 30 ships owned by the Russians in the Black Sea.
“The loss of the Moskva flagship is a huge blow to public relations for the Kremlin – the Russians have not lost their flagship since the Russo-Japanese War of 1904.”
Clarke believes that the sinking of Moskva also means that any Russian attack on the critical port of Odessa will now be more difficult for Vladimir Putin’s forces to achieve.
