Four Indians Killed in Attack on Grain Vessel Near Ukraine's Odesa Port, MEA Condemns Strike

Four Indian nationals were killed and another was critically injured after the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo came under attack while departing Ukraine's Odesa port on Sunday evening. Condemning the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described attacks on civilian shipping as "deplorable" and said India's mission in Ukraine was extending all possible assistance to those affected.

MEA confirms deaths, assures assistance

The Ministry of External Affairs said the vessel had 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals, when it was attacked on the evening of July 19.

"On the evening of 19 July 2026, the vessel MV GOLDEN LEO was attacked while departing the port of Odesa. At the time of the incident, there were 17 crew members on board, including 5 Indian nationals. As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition," the MEA said in an official statement.

Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, the ministry added, "Our Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to 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 MEA also strongly condemned the attack, stating that "targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should be avoided."

Ukraine accuses Russia of missile strike

The statement came after the Ukrainian Navy accused Russia of carrying out a missile strike on the civilian bulk carrier Golden Leo, which was sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and owned by a Turkish company.

According to the Ukrainian Navy, "Russian occupiers launched a strike using three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles against the civilian bulk carrier GOLDEN LEO (flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, owned by Turkey). At the moment of the attack, the vessel was moving out of the combat zone carrying a cargo of grain."

The Navy said the missiles struck the starboard side of the vessel's superstructure, triggering a fire on board. It reported that five people had been killed, while the fate of another five crew members remained unknown.

"Search operations are currently underway. The technical condition of the vessel is being assessed," the Ukrainian Navy said.

It added that naval units, along with the Maritime Search and Rescue Service, were immediately deployed to assist those on board. As of 10:30 pm on Sunday, "eight crew members have been evacuated to a hospital in Odesa."

Ukraine calls attack 'act of terror'

The Ukrainian Navy condemned the strike, describing it as an attack on peaceful commercial shipping.

"This is yet another targeted strike by Russia against an unarmed civilian vessel flying a foreign flag, which posed no military threat. The attack is an act of terror against peaceful shipping and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law," the Navy stated.

(With inputs from ANI)