India has lodged a strong protest with Russia after a missile strike on a merchant cargo vessel off the coast of Ukraine killed four Indian nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Russia's Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi, Vladimir Ladanov, and sought an explanation over the incident. India described the attack as "deplorable" and demanded accountability for the deaths of its citizens. The strike marked the first time Indian nationals have died in the Russia-Ukraine war while serving on a commercial ship.

The attack took place on Sunday evening when the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel MV Golden Leo departed from Ukraine's port of Odesa. The ship carried 17 crew members, including five Indians, and was transporting grain, including corn. According to the MEA, four Indian crew members lost their lives in the missile strike. The fifth Indian sailor suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalised in critical condition.

The diplomatic move came a day after the MEA confirmed the deaths of the Indian nationals. Sources said India conveyed its serious concerns to the Russian side during the meeting with the envoy. The government also informed Moscow that it was closely monitoring the developments. New Delhi lodged a strong objection over the incident and sought accountability from Russia.

"As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition," the MEA said in a statement on Monday.

India strongly condemned the attack and repeated its stand that commercial shipping and civilian crews must remain protected during armed conflicts. The government also raised concerns over the safety of international maritime trade and freedom of navigation.

"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.

The MEA said the Indian Embassy in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is extending all possible assistance to those affected. The ministry also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased sailors and wished the injured crew member a full recovery.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wish the injured Indian national a speedy and full recovery."

According to Ukrainian officials, Russia fired three cruise missiles at the MV Golden Leo shortly after it left Odesa. Ukraine's navy said the missiles struck the vessel and started a fire on board. Ukraine blamed Russia for the attack and described the ship as a civilian vessel operating on a commercial route through Ukraine's maritime corridor.

Ukraine's seaport authority said the strike killed 10 people in total. The victims included nine crew members of the Golden Leo and a Ukrainian harbour pilot who was guiding the vessel out of the port. The crew also included citizens of Syria along with Indian nationals.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha strongly criticised the attack. In a post on social media, he said, “A civilian ship. An international crew. A route serving global food security. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin saw another target.” He further added, “This attack leaves no room for illusions. Putin’s Russia does not care whom it kills. Ukrainians or citizens of any other nation.”

Sybiha said the Golden Leo was not the only commercial vessel targeted in recent weeks. He claimed Russia had also attacked another cargo ship flying the Antigua and Barbuda flag in the Black Sea. That strike killed one person and injured three others. Referring to the repeated attacks on commercial vessels, he said, “Russia is deliberately turning freedom of navigation into a target of war.”

The Ukrainian foreign minister said he had raised the issue with the leadership of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). He urged the organisation to deploy an international monitoring mission at Ukraine's ports to document attacks on civilian ships and establish accountability. Speaking about the proposal, Sybiha said, “We expect this mission to begin its work as planned in the fall and help document every act of Russia’s maritime terror, paving the way for accountability.”

The latest strike comes at a time when Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine's southern Odesa region. The area includes Ukraine's remaining maritime export corridor, which plays an important role in global trade and food shipments. Ukrainian officials said Russian forces have recently targeted several foreign-flagged cargo vessels travelling through routes near Romania and Bulgaria towards Turkey.

The deaths of the four Indian sailors mark the first recorded case of Indian seafarers losing their lives in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In recent weeks, several Indian sailors also died in attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz during military action involving Iran and the United States. Those incidents prompted New Delhi to lodge strong diplomatic protests with both Tehran and Washington.

The attack on the MV Golden Leo has once again highlighted the growing risks faced by civilian seafarers working in conflict zones. India has maintained that commercial shipping must remain protected during armed conflicts. The latest deaths of Indian crew members have raised fresh concerns over the safety of international maritime routes that support global trade and food supplies.