Indian Sailor Among Four Killed in Russian Missile Strike Near Odesa Port

New Delhi. Akhil Joyan, 26, from Kerala, is among the four sailors killed in a Russian missile strike near Ukraine's Odesa port on Sunday. He was engaged three months ago and was preparing to get married in two months. Akhil, a resident of Vellarikundu in Kasaragod district, was working on a merchant ship flying the Guinea-Bissau flag. Akhil and four other sailors died in the Russian attack, which claimed 10 lives. This is the first incident of Indian sailors being casualties in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Another Indian citizen has been admitted to the hospital with serious injuries. According to information provided by Ward member Shobi Joseph, Akhil's father runs an electrical shop, and his mother is an insurance agent. This family, which recently built a new house, was entirely dependent on their only son. Akhil, who joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 19, had returned to work just a month ago. The company sent the news of Akhil's death via email on Monday evening. His parents have contacted the local MP and MLA to bring the body back home. The Chief Minister's office of Kerala has directed the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department to coordinate with the Russian Consulate General and the Ministry of External Affairs to gather more information about Akhil's death and arrange for the repatriation of the body. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on Tuesday, condemning the attack. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Indian mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and providing all possible assistance to the affected. The statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said, 'India condemns such attacks and the targeting of merchant ships and endangering innocent civilian crew members is reprehensible.' The ministry stated that such actions should be avoided. India summoned the Russian acting ambassador on Tuesday immediately after the incident and conveyed its concerns. The ship, named MV Golden Leo, was targeted by a Russian missile while leaving the Odesa port. According to LSEG data, this ship was operated by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Limited. In another Russian attack on the Odesa port on Monday, three people were killed and three others were injured.