Four Indian nationals killed in Russian attack on vessel off coast of Odesa

Four Indian nationals were killed as a result of a Russian attack on the vessel Golden Leo in the Black Sea on 19 July.

Source: Reuters, citing a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs

Details: The statement said that another Indian national is in hospital in a critical condition.

Quote from the statement: "India condemns such attacks and ​reiterates that ​targeting ⁠commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew ​members, or otherwise ​impeding ⁠freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should ⁠be ​avoided."

Background:

• On 19 July, Russia launched a missile strike on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged Golden Leo in the Black Sea off the coast of Odesa. The vessel, carrying a cargo of grain, was manned by a crew from India and Syria.
• There were 17 Syrian and Indian crew members on board, along with a Ukrainian pilot, who was killed.
• The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority later reported that the death toll from the strike on the merchant vessel had risen to 10.

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