They wanted to hit military radar: British intelligence analyzes Russian attack on ship in Odesa region

Russian troops were likely targeting Ukrainian military radar in the Odesa region when they accidentally hit a civilian ship entering the port under the Liberian flag at the time of the attack. This incident may indicate poor weapon tactics on the part of the Russian pilot who launched the missile.

This conclusion was reached by UK military intelligence. In a report released on November 10, the agency stated that a cargo ship, likely the Kmax Ruler, was struck by a Russian anti-radar missile in the Pivdennyi seaport.

Ukraine suggested that the used  missile  was most likely an X-31 air-launched missile (NATO classification AS-17 Krypton).

The port pilot was killed, and three crew members and a port worker were injured. Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov mentioned that the ship was loading iron ore destined for China, which holds strategic importance for Russia.

British intelligence indicated that the AS-17 missile was likely employed to target Ukrainian military radars in the area.

"It is possible that the AS-17 missile was launched from the air without an active radar signature detected on the radar of a civilian ship. If so, this demonstrates poor weapon tactics on the part of the Russian pilot," the report stated.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- On the evening of November 8, Russia fired a missile at a foreign ship entering a port in the Odesa region. The Pivden Command reported that the missile struck the ship's superstructure, resulting in reports of casualties.

- The pilot who lost his life as a result of the attack was a Ukrainian citizen and an employee of the Seaport Administration, according to Natalia Gumenyuk, a spokeswoman for the Southern Defense Forces. She noted that the missile landed near the captain's bridge, where the Ukrainian was at the time of the attack.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!