VLADIMIR Putin has ordered a hypersonic missile strike on a Turkish-owned ship in Ukraine in his latest act of petty aggression against Kyiv.
Footage shows the vessel ablaze and billowing with smoke as Russia and Ukraine continue to engage in tit-for-tat exchange.
Struck by an Iskander-M missile, the vessel in question was the bulk carrier Cenk T situated in the port of Chornomorsk, Odesa.
The vessel regularly operates routes between Turkey and Ukraine, carrying both passengers and cargo.
It comes after Russia threatened to “cut Ukraine off from the sea” as retaliation for a barrage of drone attacks.
Kyiv authorised the attack on unlicensed tankers heading to Russia to export its oil in a sanctions busting arrangement.
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It also follows several successful sea drone attacks on Russia’s shadow fleet.
On 10 December, a Dashan tanker was left floundering after being ambushed in the Black Sea on its way to the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
This act of aggression coincides with talks between the Russian tyrant and his Turkish counterpart in the Turkmenistan capital of Ashgabat.
During their meeting, Putin and Erdoğan reportedly discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
According to Turkish media, Erdoğan expressed his desire for an end to the war in Ukraine.
He also announced his readiness to “provide concrete support to diplomatic initiatives aimed at a ceasefire and peace”.
However, this meeting has also angered Pakistan.
It coincided with Putin’s scheduled meeting with the country’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif.
Sharif, was left waiting for 40 minutes with nothing but an empty chair for company.
He eventually grew tired of waiting and after 40 minutes stormed into Putin’s meeting Erdoğan.
Sharif had sought to improve diplomatic relations with Putin despite Russia’s attempt to grow closer to India.
India and Pakistan remain at odds due to longstanding security and political tensions.
These tension stem from their violent 1947 partition and competing claims over Kashmir, and other unresolved disputes.
This has been set against the backdrop of the International Forum on Peace and Trust in Ashgabat.
Unfortunately for Putin, he insulted the host by not being able to correctly pronounce his name.
The Russian leader unsurprisingly stumbled over both the Turkmen ruler’s middle and surname.
His full name is Serdar Gurbangulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow.
Putin was also humiliated when his microphone stopped working just as he was about to give a speech to sixteen head of state and government, including leaders from Nato countries.
He stared around helplessly, clearly flustered as he waited for someone to rescue him from the embarrassing mute.
Eventually, a member of staff rushed over and showed him the simple switch he needed to press to turn his mic on.
“Thank you,” he snapped before finally launching into his remarks.
One user online labelled the 34-second fiasco: “Putin’s best speech ever.”
