The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India had conveyed its “grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation” following the attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged merchant vessel MV Golden Leo, which was navigating Ukraine’s maritime corridor near the port of Odesa on Sunday.
India summons Russian envoy
Following the incident, the MEA summoned Russian Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov to lodge a formal protest over the attack.
In an official statement, the ministry said India had expressed its deep concern over the strike, which resulted in the deaths of four Indian nationals.
“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,” the ministry said.
India also stated that attacks on commercial vessels undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime trade.
Four Indians killed, one critically injured
According to the MEA, there were 17 crew members aboard MV Golden Leo at the time of the attack, including five Indian nationals.
The ministry confirmed that four Indian crew members lost their lives, while another Indian sailor sustained critical injuries and has been admitted to hospital.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said a total of 10 seafarers were killed in the incident, including four Indians and six Syrian nationals.
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is providing all possible assistance to the injured sailor and the families of 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,” the ministry said.
India condemns attacks on commercial shipping
Without directly naming Russia in its statement, India strongly condemned attacks on civilian merchant vessels and emphasised the importance of protecting freedom of navigation.
“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.
The government stressed that commercial vessels carrying civilian crews should not become targets during armed conflicts.
Conflict continues to impact maritime trade
The attack occurred amid intensified fighting between Russia and Ukraine, with maritime routes in the Black Sea remaining vulnerable despite efforts to maintain commercial shipping corridors.
The waters around Ukraine’s ports have witnessed repeated attacks since the outbreak of the conflict, disrupting global trade and raising concerns over the safety of merchant vessels operating in the region.
The deaths of the four Indian sailors mark the first reported fatalities involving Indian seafarers directly linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, prompting a strong diplomatic response from New Delhi.
India has consistently called for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflict while maintaining that civilian lives and international maritime commerce must be protected under all circumstances.