Russia Claims to Have Sunk MSC Levante F
On Saturday, March 1, Russian forces announced they had sunk a cargo vessel believed to be transporting weapons and military supplies to Ukraine. The vessel in question, the MSC Levante F, was reportedly targeted by two Iskander-M missiles while docked in the port of Odesa. This information was relayed by the Russian Telegram channel Talipov Online, which suggested that the ship was carrying a significant load of military equipment.
The MSC Levante F, flying the Panama flag, was said to have previously stopped in Turkey to load British sea drones and other military supplies from a NATO base. According to the Telegram channel, the vessel was struck as it prepared to unload its cargo. Following the missile strike, the channel claimed there were multiple detonations, resulting in the ship’s sinking and the complete destruction of its cargo.
Injury Reports and Infrastructure Damage
Ukrainian officials confirmed that the missile strike caused injuries to two port workers and inflicted damage on the port’s infrastructure. However, they provided a different account of the incident compared to Russia’s claims. Odesa Governor Oleg Kiper acknowledged that a missile strike had indeed occurred but emphasized that it only caused damage to the civilian ship, which is owned by a shipping company based in Switzerland.
In a further rebuttal to Russia’s assertions, Oleksii Kuleba, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, stated that the MSC Levante F was carrying “completely civilian cargo” at the time of the attack. He also mentioned that a second ship was struck during the same operation, raising concerns about the safety of maritime activities in the area.
Historical Context of Attacks on Merchant Ships
This incident is not isolated, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that at least 20 foreign merchant vessels have been targeted by Russian strikes since the onset of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These attacks highlight the ongoing risks faced by shipping operations in the Black Sea region, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate.
The targeting of civilian ships raises significant questions regarding maritime safety and international shipping regulations. As the conflict deepens, the potential consequences for global trade and security remain a growing concern for many nations, particularly those reliant on the Black Sea for commerce.
