On November 8, 2023, a civilian Liberian flagged cargo ship, likely the Kmax Ruler, was struck by a russian anti-radar missile at Pivdennyi port, Odesa, Ukraine. Ukrainian officials stated that this was likely a Kh-31 (AS-17 Krypton) air launched missile, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
A harbour pilot was killed, and three crew members and a port worker injured. The Minister Infrastructure of Ukraine said the ship was loading freight iron ore destined for russia’s strategic ally, China.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: russia May Need to Shift Air Defenses to Maintain Coverage Over Ukraine
The Kh-31 missile was likely being used to target Ukrainian military radars in the area. There is a realistic possibility the air launched AS-17 missile in the absence of a live military radar signature, locked onto the civilian ship’s radar. If so, this would demonstrate poor weapons employment tactics on behalf of the russian pilot.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Assessed the Scope of Railway Sabotages in russia
