India on Tuesday summoned the Russian Charge d’Affaires (CDA) after a Russian missile strike on the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo near Ukraine’s port of Odesa killed four Indian seafarers and left another
critically injured.
The diplomatic move came after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that four Indian nationals were among those killed when the commercial vessel was attacked on the evening of July 19 while departing Odesa.
According to the MEA, there were 17 crew members on board the vessel, including five Indian nationals. Four of them died in the attack, while the fifth remains hospitalised in critical condition.
“As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition. Our Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected,” the MEA said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wish the injured Indian national a speedy and full recovery,” the MEA said.
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Condemning the attack, the ministry said India strongly opposes strikes that endanger civilian lives and commercial maritime operations.
“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 MEA added.
UKRAINE SAYS VESSEL HIT BY THREE RUSSIAN CRUISE MISSILES
According to Ukrainian authorities, the Turkish-owned cargo vessel Golden Leo, sailing under the Guinea-Bissau flag, was struck as it departed Odesa.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russian forces launched three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles, one of which hit the vessel’s starboard side, sparking a fire.
The Kyiv Post reported that the strike killed 10 people in total, including the four Indian nationals. It also said eight sailors were rescued and taken to a hospital in Odesa.
RUSSIA SAYS IT TARGETED PORTS AND VESSELS LINKED TO UKRAINIAN MILITARY
The Russian Ministry of Defence said on Sunday that its armed forces continued carrying out strikes against Ukrainian ports and vessels that it claimed were operating in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
In a statement posted on its official Telegram channel, the ministry said anti-ship Oniks missiles, air-launched cruise missiles and loitering munitions were used to strike port infrastructure.
Among the targets listed by Russia were “two bulk carriers carrying military cargo at anchorage off the Port of Odesa.”
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