Smoke rises from the grain carrier Golden Leo under the Guinea-Bissau flag after Russian missile strike in the Black Sea close to Odessa, Ukraine, Sunday, July 19, 2026, local media reports. Photo: AP/PTI
Killing of 4 Indian seafarers on merchant ship: India summons Russian charge d'affaires
Conveying "grave concerns", India condemned missile strike on commercial vessel MV Golden Leo as unacceptable and a threat to international maritime commerce
India has conveyed its "grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation" over the killing of four Indian seafarers aboard a Guinea Bissau-flagged merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine. This is the first death of Indian seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
On Tuesday (July 21), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Russian charge d'affaires (CDA) and lodged a strong protest over the attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo on Sunday.
The MEA told Vladimir Ladanov, the CDA, that "such attacks undermine the safety, security, and stability of international maritime commerce".
"The Russian Charge d'Affaires was requested to convey India's strong concerns to his authorities that the targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives are unacceptable and must be avoided," it said in a statement.
Russia attacks civilian vessel
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia attacked the civilian vessel navigating Ukraine's maritime corridor on Sunday and its crew included citizens of Syria and India.
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The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force said.
The vessel -- MV Golden Leo -- had 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals, according to the MEA.
India condemned the attack and reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members is "deplorable and should be avoided".
"On the evening of July 19, the vessel MV Golden Leo was attacked while departing the port of Odesa. At the time of the incident, there were 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals," the MEA said on Monday night.
"As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition," it had said.
Indian mission extends help
The MEA said the Indian mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wish the injured Indian national a speedy and full recovery," it said in a statement.
Also read: 10 Indians dead after joining Russian military in Ukraine War, Centre tells SC
Without directly naming Russia, the MEA had said: "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."
(With agency inputs)