Russian Missile Strike on Odesa Port Kills Four Indian Sailors Among Ten Victims
A Russian missile attack on a commercial cargo ship at Ukraine's Odesa Port left ten people dead including four Indian sailors while rescue teams evacuated survivors and investigations continued.
A deadly missile strike on a commercial cargo vessel near Ukraine’s Odesa Port has claimed the lives of ten people, including four Indian sailors, as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify. The attack has drawn international attention because civilians working aboard a merchant ship were among the victims.
Officials said the vessel, identified as the Golden Leo, was preparing to transport a shipment of corn when it came under missile fire near the strategically important Black Sea port. Reports indicate that three cruise missiles struck the area, causing extensive damage to the ship and triggering a major rescue operation.
At the time of the attack, the vessel carried 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals and several Syrian sailors. Four Indians lost their lives, while another Indian crew member suffered serious injuries and remains under medical care. Among those killed was a Ukrainian harbour pilot assisting the vessel’s departure.
Emergency responders and the Ukrainian Navy managed to rescue eight crew members after bringing the fire on board under control. The injured were shifted to hospitals in Odesa for treatment.
Ukraine strongly condemned the strike, accusing Russia of violating international maritime norms by targeting a civilian commercial vessel. Officials described the attack as a serious threat to the safety of global shipping and maritime trade.
India also reacted strongly to the incident. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed condolences to the families of those who died and said the Indian mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation while extending every possible assistance to the affected citizens. India reiterated that attacks on commercial ships and civilian maritime personnel are unacceptable and undermine the freedom of international navigation.
The incident comes as missile and drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine continue across multiple regions, raising further concerns about the safety of civilian shipping in the Black Sea.
