India has formally conveyed “grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation” to Russia after a deadly strike on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo left four Indian sailors dead and another injured. The incident occurred on 19 July 2026 off the coast of Ukraine, where the Guinea‑Bissau‑flagged ship was operating with a 17‑member crew, including five Indians. In total, ten crew members were killed in the attack.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Russia’s Chargé d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov on Monday, delivering a strong diplomatic message. According to the MEA, India stressed that targeting commercial shipping and causing civilian casualties is unacceptable and must be avoided. The ministry added that such actions undermine the safety, security, and stability of international maritime commerce — a point India has repeatedly emphasised amid rising conflict in the Black Sea region.
The attack comes against the backdrop of Russia’s broader pattern of strikes on non‑military targets since the full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. International observers have documented repeated incidents involving apartment buildings, hospitals, electricity infrastructure and commercial vessels, part of what analysts describe as Moscow’s strategy to increase psychological and economic pressure on Ukraine and its partners.
India’s response reflects its growing concern over the safety of its nationals working in conflict zones and its insistence on protecting civilian shipping routes. New Delhi has also sought updates from Russian authorities on the circumstances of the strike and demanded assurances to prevent similar incidents.