India Protests Deaths of Four Seafarers
India has summoned Russia’s charge d’affaires in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over an attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo that killed four Indian seafarers. The ship was struck while departing Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa.
India Summons Russian Diplomat
The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Russian chargé d’affaires Vladimir Ladanov and conveyed India’s grave concern and unequivocal condemnation of the attack.
New Delhi said targeting commercial vessels and causing the deaths of civilian crew members was unacceptable. It warned that such attacks undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce.
Ladanov was asked to communicate India’s concerns to the Russian government. The Russian ambassador was reportedly unavailable in New Delhi at the time.
Four Indian Seafarers Killed
The Guinea-Bissau-flagged MV Golden Leo was attacked on July 19 while leaving Odesa with a cargo of grain. The ship had 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals.
Four Indians were killed, while the fifth was hospitalised in critical condition. The overall death toll from the attack was reported at 10.
India’s mission in Ukraine is monitoring the situation and assisting the affected seafarer and families of those killed.
Ukraine Blames Russia for Strike
Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of launching three cruise missiles at the vessel. Ukraine’s navy said the ship’s starboard superstructure was struck, causing a fire.
Moscow said it was communicating with India about the incident. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov defended Russia’s policy of targeting vessels it suspects of transporting weapons or ammunition for Ukraine, although independent verification of the Golden Leo’s alleged involvement in such activity was unavailable.
India reiterated that civilian shipping and freedom of navigation must be protected during armed conflicts. The incident represents the first reported deaths of Indian seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine war.
