On July 19, 2026, Russian cruise missiles struck the MV Golden Leo near Odesa, resulting in the deaths of four Indians among the 17-member crew. The deceased were identified as Akhil Joyan from Kerala, Gurpreet Singh Bhatt, Jagan Singh, and Abhishek Nishad. Another Indian crew member sustained critical injuries in the attack.
Following the incident, India's Ministry of External Affairs summoned Russia's Chargé d'Affaires Vladimir Ladanov on Tuesday and conveyed strong condemnation over the strike. India emphasized that attacks targeting commercial vessels pose a serious threat to global maritime safety and endanger civilian lives.
The incident has drawn international attention as it represents the first time Indian seafarers have lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Ukraine described the missile strike as an act of terror, while Russia has not issued any public response regarding the attack so far.
The deaths of the Indian crew members have intensified concerns over the safety of civilian shipping routes amid the ongoing conflict. The diplomatic action by India underscores the growing concern over risks faced by commercial vessels and seafarers operating in conflict-affected maritime regions.
About The Author
Comment List