4 Indians killed, 1 critically injured after cargo ship attacked off Ukraine coast; MEA condemns strike

Four Indian nationals were killed and another was critically injured after the cargo vessel MV Golden Leo came under attack while departing Ukraine's southern port of Odesa on Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

According to the MEA, the vessel was carrying 17 crew members, including five Indians, when it was struck on the evening of July 19. Four Indian crew members died in the attack, while the fifth remains hospitalised in critical condition.

"The Indian Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected," the ministry said in a statement issued late on Monday.

India condemns attack on commercial vessel

Condemning the strike, the MEA said attacks on commercial shipping and civilian seafarers are unacceptable.

"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," the ministry said.

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Rescue operation continues

Ukraine's Seaports Authority said search-and-rescue operations continued through the night following the attack. In all, nine crew members and one maritime pilot were killed, while eight of the ship's 17 crew members were rescued.

Shipping data from LSEG shows that the Golden Leo is owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Ltd and managed by Friends Shipping Co SA.

Black Sea conflict threatens global shipping

The attack comes as Russia and Ukraine intensify military operations across the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, raising fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and global grain supplies.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Black Sea has become one of the war's main theatres. While international agreements had briefly restored grain exports and eased pressure on global food markets, renewed fighting has once again disrupted one of the world's busiest agricultural shipping corridors.

Russia and Ukraine escalate strikes

Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian energy infrastructure and oil tankers, while Russia has stepped up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian ports, fuel depots and cargo vessels.

Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces carried out overnight strikes on fuel storage facilities at the port of Odesa, according to the Interfax news agency.

Grain exports under pressure

The renewed escalation has heightened concerns over global food security. Ukraine accounts for around 6 per cent of global wheat exports and nearly 11 per cent of global corn exports.

However, traders and analysts say repeated Russian missile and drone strikes have cut Ukraine's Black Sea grain export capacity by almost one-third.

The conflict has also affected Russian grain shipments. According to Reuters, Ukrainian attacks have forced Moscow to restrict shipping through the Sea of Azov, a route that typically handles around a quarter of Russia's grain exports.