Archive · 22 Jul 2026
India Presses Russia on Safety of Indian Seafarers After Missile Strike
India has expressed strong concern over the safety of Indian seafarers after a Russian missile strike on a merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine killed four Indian sailors.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss this concern and other aspects of their partnership.
India has also summoned the Russian Charge d’Affaires to convey its strong concerns about the targeting of commercial shipping and the loss of innocent civilian lives.
The incident has disrupted grain exports and posed security risks to commercial shipping in the region.
A Russian missile strike on a merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine killed four Indian seafarers and six others.
India summoned the Russian Charge d’Affaires to express strong concern over the safety of Indian seafarers.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the incident and other aspects of their partnership.
The missile strike was part of a series of attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine's maritime infrastructure, disrupting grain exports.
The incident has posed security risks to commercial shipping in the region, with some shipowners refusing to send vessels to Ukraine's Black Sea ports.
- Who
- Indian seafarers, including Akhil Joyan and Abhishek Nishad, and Russian forces
- What
- A Russian missile strike on a merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of four Indian seafarers
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- Off the coast of Ukraine, near the port of Odesa
- Why
- The missile strike was part of a series of attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine's maritime infrastructure, disrupting grain exports and posing security risks to commercial shipping.
India's Stance
Russia's Actions
Safety of Indian Seafarers
India's Stance
India has expressed strong concern over the safety of Indian seafarers in the region and has summoned the Russian Charge d’Affaires to convey this concern.
Russia's Actions
Russia has been accused of targeting commercial shipping, resulting in the loss of innocent civilian lives, including four Indian seafarers.
Diplomatic Relations
India's Stance
India has maintained a diplomatic stance, discussing various aspects of its partnership with Russia, including trade, energy, and connectivity.
Russia's Actions
Russia's actions, such as the missile strike on a merchant vessel, have been seen as undermining the safety and stability of international maritime commerce.
- Date of Incident
- Sunday
- Location of Incident
- Off the coast of Ukraine
- Number of Victims
- 10 people, including 4 Indians
- Type of Missile
- Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles
- Vessel Involved
- Golden Leo, a Turkish-owned merchant vessel sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau
- Diplomatic Meeting
- East Asia Summit and ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Manila, Philippines
- Indian Officials Involved
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov