'Carried Grain, Not Weapons': MEA Rejects Russia's Claim On Ship Strike That Killed 4 Indians
'Carried Grain, Not Weapons': MEA Rejects Russia's Claim On Ship Strike That Killed 4 Indians Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 05:35 IST MEA
'Carried Grain, Not Weapons': MEA Rejects Russia's Claim On Ship Strike That Killed 4 Indians Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 05:35 IST MEA said the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel MV Golden Leo, on which four Indian nationals were killed, had loaded grain from Ukraine's Odesa port before its departure on July 19. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. (Image source: X/ screenshot taken from video posted by ANI) India on Friday rejected Russia’s claim that the vessel hit in a strike off Ukraine was carrying military equipment, saying the ship had grain as cargo before it came under attack. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel MV Golden Leo, on which four Indian nationals were killed, had loaded grain from Ukraine’s Odesa port before its departure on July 19. #WATCH | Delhi | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “As per the information that was made available to us by the Director General of Maritime Administration of our country, this particular ship, Golden Leo, on which we lost four of our nationals.
It loaded grain as cargo… pic.twitter.com/lFNoujF57J— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2026 ‘Commercial Shipping Must Not Be Targeted’: MEA MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the information was provided by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration of India. “As per the information that was made available to us by the Director General of Maritime Administration of our country, this particular ship, Golden Leo, on which we lost four of our nationals. It loaded grain as cargo before leaving the port of Odesa, and this happened on the 19th of July," Jaiswal said. He reiterated India’s position that commercial vessels and seafarers should not be targeted during conflicts. “We once again reiterate that commercial shipping and seafarers should not be attacked under any circumstances," Jaiswal said, adding that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had conveyed the same message at the recent ASEAN Regional Forum meetings and during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila.
The clarification came days after the Russian strike on the merchant vessel killed 10 people, including four Indians. The attack marked the first reported deaths of Indian seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. What Russia Claimed? Following the incident, India had summoned Russian Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov and conveyed that such attacks were “unacceptable" and should be avoided. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had earlier claimed that Russia would continue targeting vessels carrying weapons and ammunition for Ukraine, suggesting that the ship was linked to military supplies. He did not provide evidence for the claim. “Our armed forces are striking and will continue to strike those vessels involved in transporting weapons and ammunition," Peskov had said on Tuesday. The Ukrainian Air Force had said the MV Golden Leo was hit by Russian cruise missiles. The vessel was carrying 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals, according to the MEA. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.
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