India Summons Russian Envoy Over Killing of 4 Indian Sailors

July 21, 2026 t.me/ukrainian_navy India’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that it summoned a senior Russian diplomat to protest an attack on a cargo ship in the Black Sea this weekend that killed four Indian crew members. Ukraine said Russia hit the Golden Leo — a Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship manned by a crew from India and Syria — with three cruise missiles on Sunday, killing 10 people including four Indian citizens. Vladimir Ladanov, Russian chargé d’affaires, was summoned to India’s Foreign Ministry following the incident. “Such attacks undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce,” India’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. New Delhi expressed “grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation” of the attack and asked Ladanov to convey to Moscow that “the targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives are unacceptable and must be avoided.” India is one of the largest contributors of sailors to merchant shipping worldwide, with more than 320,000 active seafarers in 2025, according to the country’s shipping ministry. Russia and India consider each other “time-tested” friends with ties dating back to the Soviet era. However, their relationship has come under significant pressure since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Reuters and AFP contributed reporting. Read more about: India , Diplomacy Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia's Ties With India and Pakistan, Explained The Moscow Times examines Russia’s relationship with both India and Pakistan amid a flare-up in tensions between the two countries. 4 Min read Indian PM Modi to Visit Russia in July – Reports “I can confirm that we’re preparing a visit by the prime minister of India,” Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov told state media. 1 Min read Russia's Lavrov Says G20 Summit a 'Success' G20 leaders papered over deep divisions over Russia's invasion of its neighbor, alluding to the problems caused by the war but refraining from blaming... 1 Min read Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin Dies Aged 67 The Russian Ambassador to India, Alexander Kadakin, has died at the age of 67.