The strike on a civilian ship in the Odessa region may have been a mistake by a Russian pilot. Apparently, the occupiers were attempting to destroy a military radar near the port.
This information is reported by the UK Ministry of Defense on Twitter.
British intelligence notes that Russian forces likely launched an air-launched missile, possibly the Kh-31 (AS-17 KRYPTON), at the Kmax Ruler ship flying the flag of Liberia.
The attack occurred near the Southern port in the Odessa region. The ship was supposed to deliver iron ore for Russia's strategic partner, China.
Intelligence suggests that the occupiers fired the missile, thinking they were targeting a military radar. Presumably, the Russians confused it with the radar on the civilian ship.
"If so, this would demonstrate poor weapons employment tactics on behalf of the Russian pilot," the summary states.
