A devastating Russian cruise missile strike on a civilian vessel has resulted in the deaths of four Indian nationals, with another crew member currently fighting for their life in a hospital. The ship, identified as the Guinea-Bissau-flagged Golden Leo, was struck by three missiles while departing the Ukrainian port of Odesa while transporting a cargo of grain. According to Ukrainian naval reports, the attack caused significant damage to the vessel's superstructure and ignited a fire, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation that remains ongoing for other missing crew members.

In response to the tragedy, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has officially condemned the assault, labeling the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian personnel as entirely deplorable. Indian diplomatic missions in Ukraine are currently working on the ground to provide support to the victims' families and assist the injured sailor. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Navy has vehemently denounced the strike, characterizing it as an act of terror that blatantly violates international humanitarian law by targeting an unarmed merchant vessel that posed no military threat to the region.