Four Indian nationals were killed and another seriously injured after a cargo vessel came under attack near Ukraine’s Black Sea coast, prompting strong condemnation from the Government of India. The incident reportedly took place shortly after the Guinea-Bissau-flagged merchant ship MV Golden Leo departed from the port of Odesa on July 19.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), five Indian citizens were among the vessel’s 17 crew members. Four lost their lives in the attack, while the fifth sustained severe injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment. The MEA described the deaths as deeply tragic and emphasized that targeting civilian commercial vessels and endangering innocent seafarers is unacceptable.
While the Indian government did not directly identify those responsible, Ukrainian authorities alleged that the ship was struck by Russian cruise missiles soon after leaving Odesa. Ukrainian naval officials said the attack caused a fire onboard, triggering an emergency rescue operation that continued throughout the night.
Reports indicate that several crew members from different nationalities were either killed or injured. Rescue teams managed to evacuate a number of survivors, while search efforts continued for others affected by the strike.
India said it is closely monitoring the situation and is extending all possible assistance to the victims and their families through diplomatic channels. The government also reiterated the importance of ensuring the safety of civilian maritime operations and preserving freedom of navigation in international waters.
The attack has once again highlighted the growing risks faced by commercial shipping in the Black Sea region as the conflict continues to threaten global maritime security.
