India Condemns Attack On Merchant Ship After Russian Missile Strike Kills Four Indian Seafarers

India on Monday condemned the attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo that killed four Indian seafarers and critically injured another after the ship was struck while leaving Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa, calling attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews “deplorable”.

The attack is the first in which Indian merchant seafarers have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Ukraine’s maritime export corridor has faced repeated attacks in recent weeks, increasing risks for commercial shipping in the Black Sea.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MV Golden Leo was attacked on the evening of July 19 while departing Odesa. There were 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals.

“As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalized in a critical condition,” the ministry said in a statement.

The MEA said the Indian Embassy in Ukraine was closely monitoring the situation and providing all possible assistance to those affected.

“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.

It also extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured Indian seafarer a speedy recovery.

The Indian government did not identify who carried out the attack.

Ukrainian authorities blamed Russia. Ukraine’s Air Force said the vessel was hit by Russian cruise missiles, causing a fire on board.

The Ukrainian Navy said three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles struck the starboard side of the ship’s superstructure shortly after it left Odesa carrying a cargo of grain.

Ukraine’s seaport authority said 10 people were killed, including nine crew members and a Ukrainian maritime pilot, while eight others were rescued.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the vessel was sailing through Ukraine’s maritime corridor when it was attacked.

“The crew included citizens of Syria and India,” Sybiha said on social media. “A civilian ship. An international crew. A route serving global food security.”

He said the attack was not an isolated incident, referring to another strike on an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged vessel in the Black Sea that killed one person and injured three others.

“Russia is deliberately turning freedom of navigation into a target of war,” Sybiha said.

He added that he had discussed the issue with the leadership of the International Maritime Organization and called for an international monitoring mission at Ukraine’s ports.

According to Sybiha, the mission is expected to begin work in the autumn to document attacks on commercial shipping.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Sunday it had attacked “two bulk carrier-type vessels” anchored at Odesa port that were carrying what it described as military cargo.

The Odesa region and Ukraine’s remaining maritime export corridor have been under sustained attack in recent weeks as Russia has stepped up its offensive.

The strikes have included attacks on foreign-flagged cargo vessels operating along routes connecting Ukraine with Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.

The MV Golden Leo attack is the first in which Indian merchant seafarers have lost their lives during the Russia-Ukraine war. It is also the second conflict this year in which Indian merchant sailors have been killed, after at least 13 Indian seafarers died in attacks on commercial vessels during the U.S.-Iran conflict around the Strait of Hormuz.

One of the four Indians killed was identified as 26-year-old Akhil Joyan from Kerala’s Kasaragod district.

According to The Indian Express, Joyan had worked as a mariner for six years and had visited his family last month after his marriage was arranged. A family member said he had planned to leave the ship at the end of July and join another company.

The attack is the deadliest on commercial shipping since violence in the Black Sea intensified in recent weeks as Russia and Ukraine stepped up attacks on ports and shipping.

Ukraine’s Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office has opened a war crimes investigation into the strike.

References: MEA, NDTV