Four Indian seafarers killed in vessel attack off Ukraine coast

Four Indian seafarers were among 10 people killed after a merchant vessel was attacked off Ukraine's coast. India condemned the strike, called attacks on commercial shipping deplorable and said its mission in Ukraine was assisting the affected crew members.

New Delhi: Four Indian seafarers were among 10 people killed in an attack on a Guinea-Bissau-flagged merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine, prompting strong condemnation from India and fresh calls to protect commercial shipping during conflicts.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia attacked a civilian vessel navigating Ukraine’s maritime corridor on Sunday and that its crew included citizens of Syria and India.

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It is the first instance of Indian seafarers being killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

The vessel, MV Golden Leo, had 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

India condemned the attack and reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members is “deplorable and should be avoided”.

“On the evening of July 19, the vessel MV Golden Leo was attacked while departing the port of Odesa. At the time of the incident, there were 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals,” the MEA said on Monday.

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

The MEA said the Indian mission in Ukraine was closely monitoring the situation and was making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wish the injured Indian national a speedy and full recovery,” it said in a statement.

Without directly naming Russia, 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.”

Western media reports said the death toll in the attack had risen to 10.

The incident came amid escalating hostilities between Ukraine and Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha strongly condemned Russia over the attack.

“A civilian ship. An international crew. A route serving global food security. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin saw another target,” Sybiha said on social media.

“This attack leaves no room for illusions. Putin’s Russia does not care whom it kills. Ukrainians or citizens of any other nation,” he said.

Sybiha said the attack was not an “isolated incident”.

“Just yesterday, Russia attacked another foreign merchant vessel in the Black Sea flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, killing one person and injuring three others. Russia is deliberately turning freedom of navigation into a target of war,” he alleged.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said he discussed the issue with the leadership of the International Maritime Organization and called for the deployment of an international monitoring mission to Ukraine’s ports.

“We expect this mission to begin its work as planned in the fall and help document every act of Russia’s maritime terror, paving the way for accountability,” he said.