MV Leo. (Photo: X/@NEXTA)
New Delhi: India has strongly condemned a Russian missile strike on a merchant vessel departing Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa that killed four Indian seafarers, calling the attack on commercial shipping “deplorable” and summoning Russia’s chargé d’affaires to convey its protest.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said four Indian nationals were killed and another was critically injured after the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel MV Golden Leo came under attack on July 19 while sailing from Odesa. The ship had 17 crew members on board, including five Indians and several Syrian nationals.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the vessel was struck by three Russian cruise missiles while carrying a cargo of corn through the Black Sea. The attack triggered a fire on board, prompting an overnight search-and-rescue operation. Ukrainian officials said 10 people, including a Ukrainian maritime pilot, were killed, while eight crew members were rescued.
In a sharply worded statement, the MEA condemned the attack and reiterated that commercial shipping and civilian mariners must not become targets of armed conflict. “India condemns such attacks and reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should be avoided,” the ministry said.
The ministry expressed condolences to the families of the deceased Indian sailors and wished the injured crew member a speedy recovery. It added that the Indian embassy in Ukraine was closely monitoring the situation and extending all possible assistance to those affected.
The strike marks one of the deadliest attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea since hostilities intensified again in recent weeks. It also highlights the growing risks faced by merchant seafarers operating in waters affected by the Russia-Ukraine war, despite international efforts to keep maritime trade routes functional.
The Golden Leo, owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Ltd, was transporting grain from Ukraine when it was hit. Ukraine remains one of the world’s leading grain exporters, and attacks on its ports and merchant vessels have repeatedly raised concerns over global food security and the safety of maritime trade.
The incident comes as fighting between Russia and Ukraine has increasingly spilled over into the Black Sea. Both sides have stepped up attacks on maritime infrastructure and logistics, with ports, cargo vessels and shipping routes emerging as strategic targets in the conflict.
India has consistently maintained a balanced position on the Russia–Ukraine conflict, urging both sides to pursue dialogue and diplomacy while emphasizing respect for international law and the protection of civilians. However, the deaths of four Indian nationals in a Russian strike represent one of the gravest direct human costs of the war for India and are likely to sharpen New Delhi’s focus on the safety of Indian seafarers serving aboard commercial vessels operating in conflict zones.
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