India Summons Russian Diplomat After Four Indian Seafarers Die in MV Golden Leo Attack Near Ukraine

The vessel, MV Golden Leo, was struck shortly after departing Ukraine’s southern port of Odesa on Sunday. The attack claimed the lives of 10 crew members, including four Indians, and left another Indian national critically injured.

India Lodges Protest

According to people familiar with the matter, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the senior Russian diplomat in New Delhi after the incident.

On Monday, India strongly condemned the attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged merchant vessel, reiterating its opposition to attacks on commercial shipping during armed conflicts.

In an official statement, the MEA said:

“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.”

While the statement did not explicitly name Russia, the diplomatic move came after Ukraine accused Moscow of carrying out the strike.

What Happened to MV Golden Leo?

According to the Ukrainian Navy, MV Golden Leo was hit by three Russian cruise missiles shortly after leaving Odesa. Ukraine’s Air Force said the missile strike triggered a major fire onboard the cargo vessel.

The ship carried 17 crew members, including nationals from India and Syria.

Ukraine’s seaport authority said nine crew members and a Ukrainian harbour pilot lost their lives in the attack.

The MEA confirmed that four Indian nationals were killed, while another Indian crew member remains hospitalised in critical condition.

According to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), the vessel is owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Ltd.

Tensions Escalate Around Ukraine’s Shipping Corridor

The attack comes amid intensified Russian strikes targeting Ukraine’s maritime export routes. The Odesa region and the country’s remaining shipping corridor have witnessed repeated attacks in recent weeks, affecting international cargo movement through the Black Sea.

Ukraine has alleged that Russia has increasingly targeted foreign-flagged cargo vessels operating along routes connecting Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Ukraine Blames Russia

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack, describing it as another assault on civilian maritime traffic.

Calling the vessel a civilian cargo ship carrying an international crew, Sybiha said the attack demonstrated that Russia continued to target commercial shipping regardless of the nationality of those onboard.

First Indian Casualties in Russia-Ukraine War

The deaths mark the first known fatalities of Indian seafarers linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The incident follows recent diplomatic protests by New Delhi over the deaths of several Indian seafarers in separate attacks involving merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting growing concerns over the safety of Indian nationals working aboard commercial ships in conflict zones.