The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has rejected Russia's assertion that the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo, which was struck in a missile attack near Ukraine's Odesa port, was transporting military supplies for Ukraine.

According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, information received from the Directorate General of Maritime Administration confirmed that the Guinea-Bissau-flagged commercial vessel had loaded grain before departing Odesa on July 19.

India stated that the ship was engaged in legitimate commercial trade and reiterated that merchant vessels and civilian seafarers should never be targeted under any circumstances.

The clarification follows a deadly Russian strike that killed ten people, including four Indian seafarers, marking the first reported deaths of Indian sailors linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

India has formally conveyed its grave concern and unequivocal condemnation of the attack to the Russian side, including summoning Russia's Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi.External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar also reiterated India's position during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila.Russia had defended the strike by claiming it targets vessels allegedly transporting ammunition and weapons for Ukraine.India's statement directly contradicts that claim by citing official cargo information indicating the shipment consisted of grain.

The MEA also condemned a separate attack on another commercial vessel, MV OMORFI, in the Black Sea, which resulted in the death of another Indian national.

With two fatal incidents involving Indian seafarers within a week, India has again called on all parties involved in the conflict to ensure the safety of commercial shipping, protect civilian crews, and maintain the uninterrupted movement of global maritime trade.