The Indian government on Tuesday summoned Russian Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) in New Delhi, Vladimir Ladanov, and lodged a strong protest over the killing of four Indian nationals in an attack on the merchant vessel ‘MV Golden Leo’ off the coast of Ukraine.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it conveyed to the Russian diplomat India’s “grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation” of the July 19 attack on the commercial vessel.
“The Ministry conveyed India’s grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation of the attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo on 19 July 2026, which resulted in the tragic loss of four Indian lives, emphasizing that such attacks undermine the safety, security, and stability of international maritime commerce,” the MEA said in a statement.
The ministry also requested Ladanov to convey India’s concerns to the Russian authorities.
“The Russian Chargé d’Affaires was requested to convey India’s strong concerns to his authorities that the targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives are unacceptable and must be avoided,” the statement said.
The development comes after the July 19 attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel MV Golden Leo while it was departing Ukraine’s Odesa port carrying grain. The vessel had 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had said Russia attacked the civilian vessel navigating Ukraine’s maritime corridor. The crew included citizens of India and Syria.
On Monday, India condemned the attack, describing the targeting of commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members as “deplorable” and saying such incidents should be avoided.
“The Indian mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected,” the MEA had said, while expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing the injured crew member a speedy recovery.
(with agency input)
