New Delhi, Jul 21: India on Monday strongly condemned the missile attack on a commercial cargo vessel off Ukraine’s Odesa port that claimed the lives of four Indian nationals and left another critically injured.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Turkish-owned cargo vessel MV Golden Leo came under attack on the evening of July 19 while departing Odesa. The ship had 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals.
According to the MEA, four Indians were killed in the attack, while the fifth crew member is undergoing treatment in hospital in critical condition.
“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 said in a statement.
The ministry also condemned the attack, saying that targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew members, and disrupting freedom of navigation and international commerce is unacceptable and must be avoided.
According to the Kyiv Post, a Russian missile struck the Guinea-Bissau-flagged Golden Leo, killing a total of 10 people. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russian forces launched three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles, one of which hit the vessel’s starboard side, triggering a fire.
Eight crew members were rescued and taken to a hospital in Odesa, the report said.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its armed forces continued strikes against Ukrainian ports and vessels allegedly operating in support of the Ukrainian military. In a statement on its official Telegram channel, the ministry said anti-ship Oniks missiles, air-launched cruise missiles and loitering munitions targeted port infrastructure, including two bulk carriers anchored off the Port of Odesa.
