India protests Russia over deadly cargo ship attack, demanding accountability after four Indian sailors were killed in the Odesa incident…reports Asian Lite News Desk
India on Tuesday lodged a strong protest with Russia over the attack on commercial vessel MV Golden Leo, which resulted in the deaths of four Indian nationals, and called for measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Russian Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov and conveyed India’s “grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation” over the attack on the vessel, which took place on July 19 while it was leaving the port of Odesa.
“The Ministry conveyed India’s grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation of the attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo on 19 July 2026, which resulted in the tragic loss of four Indian lives,” the MEA said in a statement.
India told the Russian diplomat that targeting commercial shipping and causing the loss of civilian lives was unacceptable and posed a threat to the safety and stability of international maritime commerce.
“The Russian Chargé 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,” the ministry said.
At the time of the attack, MV Golden Leo was carrying 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals. According to the MEA, four Indians lost their lives, while another Indian crew member remains hospitalised in critical condition.
“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 MEA said.
India’s mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and providing assistance to those affected, the ministry added. It also extended condolences to the families of the deceased sailors and wished a speedy recovery to the injured crew member.
The attack on MV Golden Leo has intensified concerns over the safety of commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea region amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to reports, the Turkish-owned cargo vessel was struck by a Russian missile, resulting in casualties and damage to the ship. The vessel, which was sailing under the Guinea-Bissau flag, caught fire following the strike.
The Ukraine Air Force said that Russian forces launched three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles and that one missile hit the starboard side of the vessel, triggering a fire. Eight sailors were rescued and taken to hospitals in Odesa.
The Russian Defence Ministry, meanwhile, said its forces had carried out strikes against Ukrainian ports and vessels it claimed were being used in support of Ukrainian military operations.
“Throughout the day, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continued carrying out strikes against Ukrainian ports and vessels operating in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the ministry said.
It claimed that anti-ship Oniks missiles, air-launched cruise missiles and loitering munitions were used to target port infrastructure facilities, including bulk carriers near the Port of Odesa.
The incident has drawn renewed attention to the risks faced by civilian maritime workers caught amid military operations and highlighted India’s concerns over the protection of its citizens working in international shipping routes.
