Four Indian nationals were killed and another was critically injured after a cargo ship carrying grain was hit while departing Ukraine’s port of Odesa, prompting New Delhi to strongly condemn the attack and call the targeting of commercial shipping “deplorable.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel MV Golden Leo came under attack on the evening of July 19 as it sailed out of Odesa with 17 crew members on board, including five Indians.
“As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition,” the MEA said in a statement on Monday.
India said its embassy in Ukraine was in close contact with the authorities and was making every effort to assist 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,” the ministry said.
The incident marks one of the deadliest attacks involving Indian seafarers since the latest escalation in fighting around the Black Sea.
INDIA CONDEMNS ATTACK ON COMMERCIAL SHIPPING
Reacting to the incident, New Delhi condemned attacks on civilian vessels and reiterated its longstanding position that freedom of navigation must be protected even during armed conflict.
“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 said.
The statement did not directly name Russia. However, Ukrainian authorities have blamed Moscow for the strike.
India has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict while urging all sides to respect international law and avoid attacks that endanger civilians.
MISSILES HIT GRAIN SHIP OFF ODESA
According to Ukrainian officials, the Golden Leo, a cargo vessel carrying corn, was struck by three Russian cruise missiles shortly after leaving Odesa on Sunday.
Ukraine’s navy said the ship caught fire after the attack. According to news agency Reuters, thick smoke seen rising from a vessel off the coast, which was later identified as the Golden Leo.
The vessel was sailing under the Guinea-Bissau flag and crew members from India and Syria.
Ukraine’s seaports authority said a search-and-rescue operation continued through the night. Nine crew members and one maritime pilot were killed, while eight of the 17 crew members were rescued.
According to shipping data from LSEG, the Golden Leo is owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Ltd. The vessel is managed by Friends Shipping Co SA.
BLACK SEA EMERGES AS MAJOR BATTLEFRONT AGAIN
The attack comes as Russia and Ukraine intensify military operations across the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, placing commercial shipping and grain exports increasingly at risk.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Black Sea became one of the conflict’s most contested regions. Although international agreements had briefly helped restore grain exports and ease pressure on global food markets, renewed hostilities have once again disrupted one of the world’s busiest agricultural shipping routes.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian energy infrastructure and oil tankers, while Russia has stepped up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian ports, fuel facilities and cargo vessels.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces struck fuel storage facilities at the port of Odesa overnight, according to Interfax.
The escalating violence has raised fresh concerns over global grain supplies. Ukraine accounts for around 6 per cent of global wheat exports and about 11 per cent of global corn exports. However, traders and analysts say repeated Russian missile and drone strikes have reduced the country’s Black Sea grain export capacity by nearly a third.
The conflict has also affected Russian exports. Sources told Reuters that Ukrainian attacks have forced Moscow to restrict shipping through the Sea of Azov, a route that normally handles about a quarter of Russia’s grain exports.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
