Russian President Vladimir Putin has authorized a missile strike targeting a container ship docked in Odesa, Ukraine, using two Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
According to a report by Daily Mail Online published on March 2, 2025, the Panama-flagged vessel, MSC Levante F, was hit shortly after arriving at the port following a stop in Turkey.
Russian sources claimed the ship was carrying British-supplied weapons intended for Ukraine’s war effort, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict.The Daily Mail Online reported that the strike wounded two port workers and caused damage to local infrastructure, citing Ukrainian sources.
Odesa region governor Oleg Kiper confirmed the attack, stating, “The enemy fired a ballistic missile on Odesa,” though he did not elaborate on the ship’s cargo.
Russian Telegram channels, as referenced in the report, alleged that the 482-foot MSC Levante F was transporting “British sea drones and weapons from the Turkish NATO base,” a claim purportedly supported by images of the ship’s yellow and red containers taken shortly before the strike.
In stark contrast, Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba challenged Moscow’s assertions, insisting that the vessel’s cargo was “completely civilian.”
The Kyiv Independent, also cited by Daily Mail Online, noted that no immediate information was available regarding the ship’s contents or the extent of the damage, leaving the truth uncertain.
This discrepancy highlights the information warfare that has characterized the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with both sides leveraging media to shape public perception.
The MSC Levante F, reportedly Swiss-owned, was preparing to unload when the missiles struck, according to Russian accounts.
The Iskander-M, a mobile short-range ballistic missile, is known for its precision and destructive power, making it a formidable weapon in Russia’s arsenal.
The attack aligns with Putin’s recent escalation of military operations, underscored by a significant increase in Russia’s military budget over the past year—outpacing the combined military spending increases of all European nations, as noted by Daily Mail Online.
Analysts suggest this strike may be part of a broader strategy to disrupt Ukraine’s supply lines, particularly those potentially linked to Western allies like the United Kingdom.
However, Russia’s claims remain unconfirmed without independent verification of the ship’s cargo.
Ukraine’s insistence on the civilian nature of the shipment raises questions about whether this was a deliberate targeting of non-military assets to sow fear and chaos, or a miscalculation based on faulty intelligence.
The incident has drawn international attention, with the potential involvement of British weapons amplifying its geopolitical significance.
If substantiated, the presence of UK-supplied arms could further strain relations between Russia and NATO countries, which have been cautiously navigating their support for Ukraine.
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