Vladimir Putin tried to sink a container ship reportedly carrying a cargo of weapons destined for Ukraine.
Two Iskander-M ballistic missiles were unleashed on a Black Sea port in the southern city of Odesa where the vessel had arrived after making a stop in Turkey.
A Russian Telegram channel claimed the target was drones and missiles on board the Panama-flagged MSC LEVANTE F.
Regional governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that two port workers have been wounded and infrastructure destroyed.
Writing on Telegram, he said the strike damaged the Panamanian-flagged vessel belonging to a European company.
He said emergency crews were at the site and medics were treating the victims.
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Facilities at the three Black Sea ports around the city have been frequent Russian targets in the three-year-long war.
The container ship was struck as it prepared to unload, but there has been no confirmation about what the cargo was.
Several pro-Kremlin Telegram channels posted about the shipment being destroyed, but the claims have not been confirmed.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian vice prime minister Oleksii Kuleba challenged the claims, arguing that the ship was carrying civilian cargo.
He said s second, Sierra Leone-flagged vessel was also damaged by the strike.
Footage shows people rushing to find shelter as an air raid alert sounded shortly before a deafening explosion rocked Odesa at 6pm on Saturday.
Russia’s attack came on the eve of a defence summit in London during which Sir Keir Starmer announced a new deal which allows Ukraine to use £1.6 billion of UK export finance to buy 5,000 more air defence missiles.
The prime minister told a press conference that the weapons ‘will be made in Belfast, creating jobs in our brilliant defence sector’.
He added: ‘This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now and strengthen Ukraine in securing the peace when it comes because we have to learn from the mistakes of the past.’
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