LONDON: The United Kingdom has disclosed that Russia’s military launched a missile attack targeting a civilian cargo ship in the Black Sea last month. The attempt, which involved “multiple missiles,” was successfully intercepted by Ukrainian forces, according to British intelligence sources.
The incident occurred on August 24 when a vessel from Russia’s Black Sea fleet fired missiles, including two Kalibr cruise missiles, toward the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa, as confirmed by the UK government.
Declassified intelligence has now revealed that the intended target of this missile strike was a Liberian-flagged cargo ship that was docked at the Odessa port. Ukrainian air defenses swiftly thwarted the attack on the civilian vessel, preventing both Kalibr missiles from reaching their intended target.
In response to this revelation, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a statement condemning Russia’s actions. The FCDO stated that despite the failed missile strike, the incident underscores Russia’s continued efforts to harm Ukraine’s economy.
The FCDO accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of displaying “disregard for the lives of civilians” and of attempting to manipulate global food and trade dynamics to the detriment of the international community.
The Black Sea region has witnessed escalating tensions in recent months, particularly after Russia’s withdrawal from a UN- and Turkey-brokered grain deal in July. This agreement was designed to ensure the safe passage of civilian ships in the Black Sea.
Russia Targeting Ukraine’s Port Infrastructure
Subsequently, Moscow has been repeatedly targeting Ukraine’s port infrastructure, which Kyiv argues is a cynical ploy to damage its exports and undermine global food security.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, while speaking in parliament about the recent G20 summit, referenced the alleged missile targeting of the civilian ship. He characterized it as evidence of “just how desperate Putin is” and highlighted that Russian attacks on Ukrainian facilities had resulted in the destruction of over 270,000 tonnes of grain, enough to sustain a million people for a year.
Sunak affirmed Ukraine’s right to export its goods through international waters and emphasized the moral obligation to ship grain that plays a crucial role in global food supply.
