Russia's military targeted a civilian cargo ship in the Black Sea with "multiple missiles" last month but they were successfully intercepted by Ukrainian forces, UK said on Monday citing intelligence.
A vessel in Russia's Black Sea fleet fired the missiles, which included two Kalibr cruise missiles, towards the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa on August 24, according to the UK government.
Declassified intelligence has revealed that the intended target was a Liberian-flagged cargo ship berthed there, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said.
It added that Ukrainian air defences thwarted the attack on the civilian vessel, with neither of the Kalibr missiles hitting their target.
"Despite its failure, this is a clear demonstration of Russia's continuing attempts to choke Ukraine's economy," the FCDO said in a statement.
It accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of "disregard for the lives of civilians" and of trying to "weaponise food and innocent trade at the expense of the rest of the world".
The Black Sea has become increasingly contested after Russia in July pulled out of a UN- and Turkey-brokered grain deal, which aimed to ensure safe navigation for civilian ships.
Moscow has since repeatedly attacked Ukraine's port infrastructure, in what Kyiv says is a cynical attempt to damage its exports and undermine global food security.
Referencing the alleged August 24 targeting of the civilian ship while making a statement in parliament about last weekend's G20 summit, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it showed "just how desperate Putin is".
He added that Russian attacks on Ukrainian sites had destroyed more than 270,000 tonnes of grain, noting that was "enough to feed a million people for a year".
"Ukraine has the right to export its goods through international waters and they have the moral right to ship grain that is helping feed the world," Mr Sunak said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
US House Passes Bill To Avert Shutdown, Senate Vote To Follow
Video: Buildings Hit by 9/11-Style Drone Attack In Russia Russia's Kazan Airport Halts Operations After Ukraine Drone Attack Watch: UK Man Leaves Haircut Midway To Help Policeman Under Attack, Internet Applauds Parents On Mumbai Ferry Wanted To Toss Children In Sea. Rescuers Stopped Them Robin Uthappa Faces Arrest Warrant For Alleged Provident Fund Fraud Mumbai Ferry Accident Death Count At 15 After Body Of Missing Boy, 7, Found ISRO-European Space Agency Sign Deal For Cooperation In Astronaut Training UPPSC PCS Prelims 2024 To Be Held On Dec 22, Check Exam Day Guidelines Former AAP MLA Sukhbir Singh Dalal Joins BJP Ahead Of Delhi Assembly Polls Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.