4 Indians Killed, 1 Critical After Attack On Ship At Odesa Port In Ukraine

Four Indian nationals have lost their lives and another is in a critical condition after their ship came under attack while leaving the Ukrainian port of Odesa on the evening of 19 July, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The ship, MV Golden Leo, had 17 crew members on board at the time of the attack, including five Indian nationals. "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. India strongly condemned the attack, saying targeting commercial shipping and endangering civilian crew, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and trade, was "deplorable and should be avoided." Ukrainian officials said the ship was struck by Russian cruise missiles, in what they called the deadliest attack in a weeks-long flare-up of violence in the Black Sea.