New Delhi: Four Indian nationals were killed and another was critically injured after the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo came under attack while departing Ukraine’s Odesa port on the evening of July 19, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The ship had 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals. The MEA said India’s Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to provide all possible assistance to those affected.

“Our Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected,” the ministry said, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing the injured crew member a speedy recovery.

India Condemns Attack on Commercial Shipping

India strongly condemned the attack, stating that targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew members, and disrupting freedom of navigation and trade is “deplorable and should be avoided.”

Ukraine Blames Russian Cruise Missile Strike

According to Ukrainian officials, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MV Golden Leo, carrying a cargo of corn, was struck by three Russian cruise missiles near Odesa port. The vessel, owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Ltd, had a crew comprising Indian and Syrian nationals.

Ukraine’s navy said the missile strike triggered a fire onboard. The country’s seaports authority said search and rescue operations continued through the night. Of the 17 crew members, eight were rescued, while the attack reportedly claimed the lives of nine crew members and one maritime pilot.

Black Sea Violence Continues to Escalate

The attack comes amid a renewed escalation of hostilities in the Black Sea region. Ukraine’s Odesa regional governor said Russian strikes have killed 28 people in the region so far this month.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone strike on a bus in Russia’s Belgorod region killed five people, including a child, while Russian attacks on several Ukrainian cities reportedly left at least eight people dead, underscoring the intensifying conflict between the two countries.