Killing of 4 Indian seafarers: India summons Russian envoy
India has summoned a Russian diplomat to protest the killing of four Indian seafarers aboard a merchant vessel hit by Russian missiles near Odesa. The Indian government condemned the attack on civilian shipping and is providing assistance to the survivors.
Why it matters
This incident marks a significant escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict's impact on neutral nations and international maritime safety.
India on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) summoned the Russian charge d'affaires (CDA) and lodged a strong protest over the killing of four Indian seafarers aboard a Guinea Bissau-flagged merchant vesse l off the coast of Ukraine.
Sources said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told the Russian diplomat that the attack on the merchant vessel, which killed Indians, was unacceptable.
Russia attacked the civilian vessel navigating Ukraine's maritime corridor on Sunday (July 19, 2026) and its crew included citizens of Syria and India.
It is the first instance of death of Indian seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force said.
The vessel— MV Golden Leo— had 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals, according to the MEA.
India condemned the attack and reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members is "deplorable and should be avoided".
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