It is possible the ship caught fire, it happens, on its own. It didn't sink apparently. I don't know that it much matters in this case, but in other cases one could discern "truth" amongst the propaganda. The story about helicopters attacking a Russian town for example SUGGESTS the Russians are desperate for justification of further attacks. It's also a tacit admission they don't control the air space very well (if at all true). The tactics employed speak to their mindset, the story they are trying to sell, and one can ponder why they took that angle.
Anyway, I find their propaganda fascinating.