Cargo Ship Hit By Russia In Ukraine, Killing 4, Was Carrying Grain: India
India has confirmed that the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo, which was attacked by Russian forces while leaving Odesa, was carrying grain rather than military supplies. The strike resulted in the deaths of four Indian crew members, prompting the Indian government to condemn the targeting of civilian commercial shipping.
Why it matters
The incident escalates diplomatic tensions between India and Russia and underscores the ongoing risks to civilian maritime trade in the Black Sea conflict zone.
India has confirmed that the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo, which was struck while leaving Ukraine's Odesa port and claimed the lives of four Indian seafarers, was carrying grain when it was attacked.The clarification comes days after the Kremlin defended the strike, saying Russian forces would continue targeting ships it believed were transporting military supplies for Ukraine.India Confirms Grain Was The CargoIn a fresh statement on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said information received from the Directorate General of Maritime Administration showed that the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel had loaded grain before departing Odesa on July 19."As per information made available to us from the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, India, MV Golden Leo, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged commercial vessel involved in the tragic incident in the Odesa port, had loaded grain as cargo prior to its departure on 19 July 2026."The ministry reiterated India's position that commercial ships and civilian sailors…
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