Just look at the missile tubes on deck - a direct hit on one with 300 lbs of explosives traveling at that speed will definitely bring about secondary explosions. Some reports stated that the ship rolled enough after the first impact for the second missile to hit below the waterline on the hull - bringing the full magazine into play.
This ship has been sailing for decades - the chances of this being caused by improper handling of munitions is almost zero.
For decades, but not during a war. There was likely quite a bit of difference in peacetime and wartime configurations.
“This ship has been sailing for decades - the chances of this being caused by improper handling of munitions is almost zero.”
Yet that was my first thought simply because in my lifetime every Soviet/Russian ship that ever died did so because of the incompetence of the crew or the failures of its munitions.
I’m truly gobsmacked that two novel missiles hit this ship let alone sank it. It’s rather stunning to consider.