Russia fired missiles at a civilian cargo ship in Odessa as the focus of attacks on the Black Sea shifted

The Primus, a Liberian-flagged ship carrying steel to Senegal, was the intended target of Russian forces. Photo: Erdem Sahin/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Russian forces attacked a civilian cargo ship in a missile attack that was thwarted by Ukraine, according to declassified British intelligence.

Two Kalibr cruise missiles were fired at the Primus, a Liberian-flagged ship carrying steel to Senegal, moored in the southern port of Odessa on August 24.

Ukrainian air defense was able to intercept the missiles fired from a Russian Black Sea Fleet ship in the Sea of ​​Azov, it added.

“Putin is trying to win a war that he will not win.”

“By attacking cargo ships and Ukrainian infrastructure, Russia is harming the rest of the country.

The attack last month came after the United States warned that the Russian military could attack civilian ships in the Black Sea.

His forces significantly stepped up attacks on Ukrainian grain exports after Vladimir Putin withdrew from an agreement that allowed cargo ships to continue leaving Odessa and other ports.

Two Kalibr cruise missiles fired at a civilian cargo ship Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense/Newsflash

Since the end of the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17, Russian troops have destroyed 280,000 tons of grain, enough to feed more than a million people a year, according to British officials.

Grain from the Black Sea region is considered vital to preventing famine in low-income countries.

Russia hopes to deprive Ukraine of one of its most valuable export earnings by choking the last remaining shipping routes.

Its forces have moved to attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube, with This de facto blockade is carried out by the Moscow Navy in the Black Sea.

Twenty-six port infrastructure facilities, including elevators and offices belonging to shipping companies. The strikes devastated Odessa, Chernomorsk and Reni.

The attacks also caused food prices to soar, which some say could be used to increase international pressure on Kiev and its allies to mediate into the peace agreement.

In recent weeks, Royal Air Force aircraft have been patrolling the Black Sea to deter Russia from attacking civilian ships.