NEW DELHI — India summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires on Tuesday after four Indian crew members were killed in an attack on a merchant vessel departing Ukraine's southern port of Odesa, sharply condemning the strike and calling the targeting of commercial shipping "deplorable."
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel Golden Leo came under attack on Sunday while leaving Odesa. Four Indian nationals were killed and another Indian crew member was critically injured and remains hospitalized, the ministry said. The ship was carrying 17 crew members, including Indian and Syrian nationals.
Ukraine's navy said the vessel was struck by three Russian cruise missiles shortly after departing the Black Sea port. Russia had not publicly commented on the specific incident by Tuesday, and Reuters could not independently verify the circumstances of the strike.
The MEA said it conveyed India's "grave concerns" to Russia's senior diplomat in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over the deaths of the Indian seafarers.
"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 ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said India's embassy in Ukraine was working with Ukrainian authorities to assist the injured crew member and support the repatriation of the bodies of those killed. It also expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
The attack occurred amid continued fighting around Ukraine's Black Sea coastline, where ports and maritime infrastructure have come under repeated missile and drone attacks during the war. Commercial shipping has remained vulnerable despite the reopening of some export routes from Odesa.
The deaths marked one of the deadliest known incidents involving Indian merchant seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. India has maintained relations with both Moscow and Kyiv while repeatedly calling for dialogue, respect for international law and the protection of civilian lives and commercial navigation.
As of Tuesday, Indian officials said diplomatic engagement with Russia was continuing, while assistance efforts for the injured crew member and the victims' families remained underway.
