‘He was set to get married in 2 months’: Who was Kerala sailor among 4 killed in Russian attack on ship at Odesa?

Tragedy once again struck Indian sailors at sea. Four Indians have died and another is critically injured after a Russian missile hit a civilian cargo ship carrying grain in the Black Sea on July 19, according to Ukraine’s Sea Ports Authority (USPA).

According to authorities, the ship, identified as MV Golden Leo, having a crew of 17, including five Indian nationals, was struck by three Russian Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the attacks, stating that “targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should be avoided”.

The four Indian sailors killed have been identified as — Akhil Joyan, Gurpreet Singh Bhatt, Jagan Singh, and Abhishek Nishad. Of these, 26-year-old Joyan has been identified as a native of Kasargod, who was set to get married in two months.

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Here’s more on the attack on the ship as well as the Indian victims.

Russia’s strike on MV Golden Leo

According to the Ukrainian navy, Russia carried out the attack on MV Golden Leo, which was sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and owned by a Turkish company, on Jul 19.

“Russian occupiers launched a strike using three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles against the civilian bulk carrier Golden Leo. At the moment of the attack, the vessel was moving out of the combat zone carrying a cargo of grain,” said the Ukrainian navy.

The Ukrainians claimed that the missiles struck the starboard side of the ship, triggering a fire on board. As a result, four died, while the fate of five other crew members remain unknown.

Russia hit the Golden Leo, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship carrying corn and manned by a crew from India and Syria, with three cruise missiles, causing a fire. Image Courtesy: Ukrainian navy/Telegram

“This is another targeted Russian attack on an unarmed civilian vessel flying a foreign flag that posed no military threat. The attack is an act of terror against peaceful navigation and a gross violation of international humanitarian law,” said the Ukrainian navy. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack, saying it came just hours after Russia’s large-scale overnight missile and drone assault on Kyiv.

India’s MEA condemns attack

The MEA has confirmed that the Russian attack on the ship led to the deaths of four Indian sailors, and caused serious injuries to a fifth.

“Our Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected,” the ministry said, extending condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wishing the injured crew member a full recovery.

The four Indian sailors who died have been identified as Akhil Joyan, Gurpreet Singh Bhatt, Jagan Singh, and Abhishek Nishad.

Notably, this is the first such instance where Indian seafarers have died since Russia launched its war against Ukraine. It also comes just days after an Indian mariner was killed as Iran attacked two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The two incidents highlight the growing risks faced by Indian crews working on merchant ships in conflict zones.

Kerala sailor among those killed

Of the four Indian mariners, one of them has been identified as 26-year-old Akhil Joyan from Vellarikundu village in Kasaragod district, Kerala. According to one report, Akhil’s family received an email from the shipping company on Monday evening informing them of his death.

The only son of Joyan, a merchant, and Saly, a collection agent at the postal department, Akhil had joined the merchant navy at the age of 19 and was currently operating as chief officer on the vessel.

Twenty-six-year-old Akhil Joyan had got engaged two months ago and was set to tie the knot soon.

According to Shobi Joseph, ward member of Vellarikkundu in Balal grama panchayat, Akhil had returned home two months ago for his engagement and was set to tie the knot in the next two months.

Another family member told the Indian Express, “Akhil was planning to sign off from this ship by the end of this month. He wanted to move to another firm.”

Those who knew Akhil remember him as a popular man in the locality. “He was well-behaved and a disciplined youngster, “said Joseph. The 26-year-old was a noted tug-of-war athlete and also held a world record in finger pulling.

Akhil’s family was also dependent on him for their financial needs. Joseph was quoted as saying that the 26-year-old had just recently constructed a house for his parents. He further added that the family was in touch with the local MP and MLA to obtain assistance for the repatriation of the body and other formalities.

Kerala Chief Minister’s office said Non-resident Keralites Affairs Department, or Norka, has been entrusted with contacting the Ministry of External Affairs and the Russian Consulate to obtain further details. Further steps, including arrangements to repatriate Akhil’s mortal remains, are expected to be taken after official confirmation and additional information are received.

With inputs from agencies