Screengrab from YouTube video Four Indian nationals were killed and another was critically injured after the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo came under attack while leaving Ukraine’s port of Odesa on July 19. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel had 17 crew members on board, including five Indians, when it was attacked shortly after departing Odesa. The incident comes as fighting in the Black Sea continues to pose risks to commercial shipping and grain exports. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), four Indian nationals were killed in the attack, while another was hospitalised in a critical condition. The ministry said India’s mission in Ukraine was closely monitoring the situation and was making every effort to provide assistance to those affected. It also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured Indian crew member a speedy recovery. India strongly condemned the attack, saying that targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew members or disrupting freedom of navigation and commerce was deplorable and should be avoided. The MEA did not attribute responsibility for the attack. Ukraine, however, blamed Russia. Ukrainian officials said the Golden Leo, carrying a cargo of corn, was hit by three Russian cruise missiles after leaving Odesa on Sunday evening, causing a fire on board. According to the Ukrainian navy, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged bulk carrier was crewed by seafarers from India and Syria and was sailing out of the combat zone with a grain cargo when it was struck. The navy said the missiles hit the starboard side of the vessel’s superstructure, starting a fire. Ukraine’s navy said the vessel was an unarmed civilian merchant ship flying a foreign flag. It said naval units and the Maritime Search and Rescue Service were deployed to assist after the attack. Ukraine’s seaports authority said search and rescue operations continued through the night. It said nine crew members and on