Four Indian nationals killed in attack on ship off Ukraine

India has confirmed that four of its nationals were killed and another seriously injured in an attack on a commercial ship near the Ukrainian port of Odesa. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the incident, stating that the ship, identified as MV Golden Leo, was attacked while departing the port.

According to the ministry's statement, the vessel had five Indian nationals among its 17 crew members. "Based on the information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is undergoing critical treatment in the hospital," the statement read. Ukrainian naval forces reported on Sunday that a Russian missile attack on the Golden Leo, a Turkish-owned cargo ship carrying grain, resulted in the deaths of five individuals on board, with five other crew members still missing.

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Based on the information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is undergoing critical treatment in the hospital.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga noted that the crew comprised Syrian and Indian nationals, along with one Ukrainian maritime pilot who was killed. Eight crew members were rescued, while five remain unaccounted for. It remains unclear if the four Indian nationals confirmed dead are among those initially reported missing.

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A Ukrainian maritime pilot was killed, as were four crew members. Eight crew members were rescued while five others are still missing.

India is a significant contributor to the global merchant shipping industry, with over 320,000 active seafarers in 2025, according to the country's shipping ministry. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stressed that actions targeting commercial ships, endangering innocent civilian lives, or hindering freedom of navigation and trade are "deeply regrettable and must be avoided."

This incident follows a recent advisory issued by India last week, urging ship owners and manning agencies not to deploy Indian seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz amidst escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. At least two Indian sailors were reported killed in a previous attack on a commercial ship a week prior to that advisory.

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Actions targeting commercial ships, endangering innocent civilian lives, or hindering freedom of navigation and trade are deeply regrettable and must be avoided.