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Russia has refused to back down in an argument with India over a deadly strike on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea, saying it will not stop targeting shipping to and from Ukraine.
Four Indian sailors were killed in a suspected Russian cruise missile attack on a ship leaving Ukraine’s Odesa port earlier this week, prompting New Delhi to summon a Russian envoy in a rare display of discord between the two long-time allies.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian forces would continue targeting ships they suspected of transporting weapons for Ukraine, adding that Moscow had explained its position to Delhi.
The Ukrainian navy on Tuesday accused Russia of attacking the MV Golden Leo – a Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship manned by a crew from India and Syria – with three cruise missiles. The strike killed at least 10 crew members, including four Indians.
India’s foreign ministry summoned Russian envoy Vladimir Ladanov to lodge a protest over the deadly attack, which occurred as the cargo ship was leaving Odesa on Sunday. The ministry told the diplomat that killing civilians was “unacceptable” and that it condemned any act endangering civilian seafarers and impeding freedom of navigation.
Smoke rises from MV Golden Leo in the Black Sea (AP)
Mr Peskov defended the strike, saying without providing evidence that the vessel in question was “transporting ammunition” or other military goods.
“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.
Russia and Ukraine have both ramped up strikes on ships in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. Ukraine claims that it is targeting Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which ships oil in violation of international sanctions.
Russia has stepped up missile strikes in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on its oil facilities that have caused fuel shortages in some areas of the country.
MV Golden Leo after it was allegedly struck by Russian missiles in the Black Sea on 19 July 2026 (@UA_NAVY)
Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is in the Philippines for an Asean meeting, said he conveyed “strong concerns” over the attack to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
“Reiterated our strong concern regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the region. Discussed various aspects of our partnership, including trade and investment, energy and connectivity, science and technology, and mobility,” Mr Jaishankar said, referring to his meeting with the Russian minister.
“Also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and the Gulf situation.”
India has long enjoyed close ties with Russia, relying heavily on Moscow for military hardware and, since the war in Ukraine began, discounted oil, while carefully balancing its relations with the West, especially the US, to protect its strategic interests.
It has faced mounting pressure from the US to reduce its dependence on Russian oil. Washington has argued that the purchases have helped fund Moscow's war effort in Ukraine.
India’s protest to Russia came amid growing concern over the safety of Indian seafarers in warzones. At least 10 Indian seafarers have been killed in attacks on commercial vessels as the US-Israeli war against Iran has made the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman perilous to navigate.
India has more than 300,000 seafarers employed globally, according to government data, making it one of the world's largest suppliers of crews for merchant vessels.