The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called in Russian Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov to convey India’s deep concern and strong objection over the attack. The ministry condemned the strike and stated that targeting commercial shipping vessels and putting civilian crew members at risk is unacceptable and must be avoided.
The attack on MV Golden Leo took place on 19 July 2026 while the vessel was navigating Ukraine’s maritime corridor. The ship was carrying a grain shipment and had 17 crew members onboard, including five Indian nationals. The MEA stated that such attacks pose a serious threat to the safety, security, and stability of international maritime commerce.
In its official communication, India conveyed grave concerns and unequivocally condemned the missile strike. The Russian envoy was asked to communicate India’s strong concerns to Moscow, with emphasis that the loss of innocent civilian lives in such circumstances is unacceptable.
The vessel was reportedly hit by three Russian cruise missiles while it was exiting Ukraine’s maritime corridor. The attack killed four Indian crew members and critically injured one other Indian national. The Indian diplomatic mission in Ukraine provided assistance to the affected seafarers and their families following the incident.
Further details revealed that among those killed was a seafarer from Kerala who had recently become engaged and was scheduled to marry in two months. The vessel was operated by a Mumbai-based shipping company, and arrangements were underway to repatriate the bodies of the deceased crew members.
The incident marks the first reported instance of Indian seafarers losing their lives in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. India has previously condemned attacks on commercial vessels and called for ensuring the protection of civilian maritime personnel operating in conflict zones.
India’s diplomatic response reflects its continued efforts to safeguard the lives of its citizens and uphold maritime security amid ongoing international conflicts. The missile strike has renewed concerns over the protection of commercial shipping routes and highlighted the importance of maintaining international norms for the safety of civilian seafarers.
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