NEW DELHI: India summoned Russian charge d’affaires, Vladimir Ladanov, to protest the attack on a commercial vessel in Ukraine that left four Indian seafarers dead. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said in a statement that it conveyed India’s grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation of the attack on commercial vessel MV Golden Leo, emphasising that such attacks undermine the safety, security, and stability of international maritime commerce.The Russian diplomat was requested to convey India’s concerns to his authorities that the targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of civilian lives are unacceptable and must be avoided, according to the ministry.The Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel, carrying crew members from Syria and India, was hit by Russian cruise missiles while leaving the port of Odesa in Ukraine. This is the first time that Indian seafarers have been killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters that Moscow was in touch with India on the matter. “We are explaining our position. Most importantly, our armed forces are striking – and will continue to strike – vessels involved in transporting ammunition, weapons, and so on for the purposes of the Kyiv regime,” he said.The vessel had 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals, according to the MEA.
