Four Indians killed as Russian missiles hit ship leaving Ukraine port

Four Indian nationals were killed and another was critically injured after a commercial vessel came under attack while departing Ukraine's Odesa port on Sunday, the ministry of external aAffairs (MEA) said.

In a statement, the MEA said the MV GOLDEN LEO was attacked on Sunday evening, while leaving the port of Odesa. The vessel had 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals.

"As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition," the ministry said.

According to Ukraine's navy, Russia struck the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel with three cruise missiles. The ship was crewed by Indian and Syrian nationals. Odesa is Ukraine's largest seaport.

The MEA said the Indian Mission in Ukraine was closely monitoring the situation and extending all possible assistance to those affected.

"Our Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wish the injured Indian national a speedy and full recovery," the ministry said.

India also strongly condemned the attack, stressing that commercial shipping and civilian crews should not be targeted.

"India condemns such attacks and reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should be avoided," the MEA said.

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Monday that its forces had struck fuel reservoirs at the port of Odesa overnight, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

Russian strikes have killed 28 people in Ukraine's Odesa region so far this month.