India Summons Russian Diplomat After Missile Strike Near Ukraine's Odesa Kills Four Indian Seafarers
India Summons Russian Diplomat After Missile Strike Near Ukraine's Odesa Kills Four Indian Seafarers Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 10:41 IST
India Summons Russian Diplomat After Missile Strike Near Ukraine's Odesa Kills Four Indian Seafarers Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 10:41 IST India summoned the Russian Charge d'Affaires after a missile strike on MV Golden Leo near Ukraine's Odesa port killed four Indian seafarers and critically injured another. Rapid Read India lodged a diplomatic protest after four Indian seafarers were killed in a Russian missile strike on the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo near Ukraine's Odesa port. (Photo: Reuters) India on Tuesday summoned the Russian Charge d’Affaires (CDA) after a Russian missile strike on the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo near Ukraine’s port of Odesa killed four Indian seafarers and left another critically injured. The diplomatic move came after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that four Indian nationals were among those killed when the commercial vessel was attacked on the evening of July 19 while departing Odesa. According to the MEA, there were 17 crew members on board the vessel, including five Indian nationals. Four of them died in the attack, while the fifth remains hospitalised in critical condition. “As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition.
Our Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected," the MEA said in a statement. “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 MEA said. ALSO READ | Engaged Just Weeks Ago, Kerala Sailor Among 4 Indians Killed In Russian Strike On Cargo Ship Off Ukraine Condemning the attack, the ministry said India strongly opposes strikes that endanger civilian lives and commercial maritime operations. “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 added. UKRAINE SAYS VESSEL HIT BY THREE RUSSIAN CRUISE MISSILES According to Ukrainian authorities, the Turkish-owned cargo vessel Golden Leo, sailing under the Guinea-Bissau flag, was struck as it departed Odesa. The Ukrainian Air Force said Russian forces launched three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles, one of which hit the vessel’s starboard side, sparking a fire. The Kyiv Post reported that the strike killed 10 people in total, including the four Indian nationals.
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