India summons Russia’s charge d’affaires because 4 citizens died in the Black Sea

On July 21, the Indian Foreign Ministry summoned Russian charge d’affaires Vladimir Ladanov to “express deep concern and unequivocal condemnation” of the attack on the cargo ship Golden Leo two days ago. There were 5 Indian sailors on the ship, 4 of whom died.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, such attacks undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime trade. The Indian side asked Chargé d’Affaires Ladanov to convey to Russian officials that “targeting cargo ships causing civilian deaths is unacceptable and must stop immediately.”

At a press conference later the same day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was continuing to communicate with India and clarify its position. “The Russian military is and will continue to attack ships involved in transporting ammunition, weapons and other supplies to the Ukrainian government,” Mr. Peskov said.

Russian officials have repeatedly warned that supplying weapons to Ukraine is an act of hindering the conflict resolution process and “playing with fire”. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that any shipment of weapons destined for Ukraine “is a legitimate target of Russia”.

On July 19, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the country’s military used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to attack two cargo ships unloading military supplies, fuel tanks and lubricants of Ukrainian forces in the port of Odessa.

Russia also raided the infrastructure at Chornomorsk port, with two Black Sea cargo ships “transporting goods to the Ukrainian military” heading towards this facility. Video released on July 21 recorded the scene of a UAV crashing into a ship at sea and chasing another vehicle before crashing into the stern of the ship.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian navy said the Golden Leo ship, flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau and owned by a Turkish company, was carrying grain when it was hit by three Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles. On board at that time were 17 Syrian and Indian sailors and a Ukrainian pilot.

The shells hit the right side of the ship’s superstructure and caused a fire. The raid left 10 people dead, including the Ukrainian navigator, 8 people were rescued and brought back to shore.

India is one of the countries with the most sailors in the shipping industry. As of 2025, there will be more than 320,000 Indian seafarers operating around the world, according to the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.