UK intelligence service shares assessment of Russian missile attack on Odesa port

UK intelligence has said that, in its assessment, Russia struck the port in Odesa to destroy Ukrainian anti-ship missiles.

The British Defense Ministry shared the report on Twitter.

British intelligence reminds that on July 24, the Russians struck the port in Odesa with cruise missiles. The Russian Defense Ministry claims that it hit a Ukrainian warship and a stockpile of anti-ship missiles. However, there is no evidence that these targets were in the place where the rockets hit.

"Russia almost certainly perceives anti-ship missiles as a key threat which is limiting the effectiveness of their Black Sea Fleet. This has significantly undermined the overall invasion plan, as Russia cannot realistically attempt an amphibious assault to seize Odesa. Russia will continue to prioritise efforts to degrade and destroy Ukraine's anti-ship capability. However, Russia's targeting processes are highly likely routinely undermined by dated intelligence, poor planning, and a top-down approach to operations," British intelligence concluded.