Indian on Tuesday summoned Russian envoy over the killing of four Indian nationals serving aboard a merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called in Russian Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov to convey India’s strong objection over the incident and seek an explanation, news agency Reuters reported.
According to reports, the MEA expressed serious concern over the deaths of the four Indian crew members and formally conveyed India’s protest to the Russian side.
The incident occurred when the merchant vessel, carrying Indian crew members, was operating off the Ukrainian coast amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Ukrainian authorities have blamed Russia for the attack on the merchant vessel that resulted in the deaths of the four Indian nationals.
The incident comes as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues, with commercial shipping in the region facing heightened security risks.
Sources said the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation and has conveyed its serious concern to Moscow.
Further details regarding the circumstances of the attack and the identities of the deceased have not yet been officially disclosed.