India summoned a senior Russian diplomat on Tuesday to express serious concerns following a missile strike that killed four Indian nationals aboard a cargo ship in the Black Sea. The vessel, the Golden Leo, which was departing from a Ukrainian port, was reportedly targeted by Russian forces with three cruise missiles on Sunday, resulting in a total of 10 deaths, including crew members from India and Syria.
The Golden Leo is registered under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and is operated by Ocean Grace Shipping Ltd, a company based in Mumbai, India. The incident highlights the continuing risks faced by commercial shipping amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
Vladimir Ladanov, the Russian chargé d’affaires, was called to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, where Indian officials conveyed their "grave concerns" about the attack. According to a statement from the ministry, India condemned the targeting of commercial vessels and emphasized that such attacks, which cause civilian casualties, are unacceptable and threaten the safety, security, and stability of international maritime trade.
In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow has been in communication with India and reiterated Russia’s position that its military operations are focused on vessels it identifies as transporting ammunition or weapons destined for Kyiv’s forces. Peskov stated that Russian armed forces will continue to target such shipments as part of their campaign.
The strike on the Golden Leo follows other instances in which India has lost seafarers due to conflicts affecting global shipping routes. India previously lodged protests with both the United States and Iran after similar incidents during the Iran conflict, underscoring the broader challenges faced by Indian merchant sailors operating in war zones.
The developments come amid heightened tensions in the Black Sea region, where maritime activities have become increasingly hazardous due to ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. Both India and Russia have expressed a willingness to maintain dialogue, but the incident raises concerns about the protection of commercial shipping and the welfare of civilian maritime workers in conflict zones.