Grain, not guns: MEA rejects Russia's claim on deadly ship attack that killed 4 Indians

NEW DELHI: Ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Friday said the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo, which was struck in a Russian attack off Ukraine's Odesa port earlier this week, was carrying grain and not military cargo, effectively rejecting Moscow's assertion that the ship was transporting weapons for Ukraine.Responding to questions on the Russian claim, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the information available with the Indian government showed the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel had loaded grain before leaving Odesa."As per information made available to us from the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, India, MV Golden Leo, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged commercial vessel involved in the tragic incident in the Odesa port, had loaded grain as cargo prior to its departure on July 19," Jaiswal said at the ministry's weekly media briefing."We once again reiterate that commercial shipping and seafarers must not be targeted under any circumstances," he added.The clarification came days after a Russian strike on the merchant vessel killed 10 people, including four Indian seafarers, marking the first deaths of Indian sailors since the Russia-Ukraine war began.India reiterates concerns to RussiaJaiswal said external affairs minister S Jaishankar reiterated India's position during his meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila on Wednesday.India had also summoned Russian Charge d'Affaires Vladimir Ladanov on Tuesday to convey its "grave concerns" and "unequivocal condemnation" of the attack on the commercial vessel.The move followed remarks by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who defended Russia's actions, saying Moscow would continue targeting vessels carrying arms for Ukraine.Peskov said Russian forces would continue striking ships involved in transporting "ammunition, weapons, and so on" for the Kyiv government.India's latest statement, citing cargo details provided by the directorate general of maritime administration, contradicts that assertion.Shipping attacks under scrutinyMV Golden Leo, carrying 17 crew members including five Indians, was hit by Russian cruise missiles while leaving the Ukrainian port of Odesa.The attack has intensified India's concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the conflict zone.Separately, the MEA also condemned another attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI in the Black Sea that killed an Indian national, calling attacks on commercial shipping "unacceptable" and urging all parties to ensure the safety of maritime navigation and the uninterrupted flow of global trade.With two fatal incidents involving Indian seafarers in less than a week, India has repeatedly stressed that civilian merchant vessels and their crews must not be targeted during the ongoing conflict.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.