India Rejects Moscow's Justification for Deadly Strike on Merchant Ship

India has rejected Russia's claim that the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo, struck in a missile attack off Ukraine's Odesa coast, was carrying military hardware, asserting instead that the ship was transporting grain. The clarification comes days after the attack killed 10 crew members, including four Indian seafarers, prompting one of New Delhi's strongest public responses to Moscow since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began.

Responding to questions during the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said information provided by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) confirmed that the Guinea-Bissau-flagged commercial vessel had loaded grain before departing Odesa on July 19.

"As per information made available to us from the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, India, MV Golden Leo had loaded grain as cargo prior to its departure on July 19," Jaiswal said, reiterating India's position that commercial shipping and civilian seafarers must not be targeted under any circumstances.

The statement effectively refuted remarks by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who defended the strike by saying Russia would continue attacking vessels allegedly carrying military supplies for Ukraine. India's confirmation that the ship was transporting grain directly contradicted Moscow's justification for the attack.

According to Ukrainian authorities, MV Golden Leo was struck by three Russian cruise missiles shortly after departing Odesa Port. The vessel had a crew of 17, including five Indians. The attack claimed the lives of four Indian and six Syrian crew members, while one Indian sailor survived with critical injuries. The incident marks the first reported deaths of Indian seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Following the strike, India summoned Russian Charge d'Affaires Vladimir Ladanov, conveying its grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation of the attack. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also raised the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during their meeting in Manila, reiterating India's call for the protection of civilian merchant vessels and seafarers.

The incident has renewed global attention on the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea, a vital corridor for exports of wheat, corn, barley and sunflower oil. Since Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2023, attacks on Ukrainian ports and commercial vessels have intensified, disrupting grain shipments, increasing insurance costs and heightening concerns over maritime safety.

While India has maintained a carefully balanced stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, preserving close strategic ties with Moscow while advocating dialogue and diplomacy, its public confirmation that MV Golden Leo was carrying grain rather than weapons marks a significant diplomatic rebuttal. The episode also reinforces India's commitment to international maritime law and the protection of civilian shipping amid an increasingly volatile conflict.