The Indian government on Tuesday summoned the Russian charge d'affaires (CDA) in New Delhi, Vladimir Ladanov, and lodged a strong protest over the killing of four Indian nationals in an attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine.

Axar.az reports, Indian media, that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it conveyed to the Russian CDA India's "grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation" of the attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo on Sunday.

The MEA told Vladimir Ladanov, the CDA, that "such attacks undermine the safety, security, and stability of international maritime commerce."

"On the evening of July 19, the vessel MV Golden Leo was attacked while departing the port of Odesa. At the time of the incident, there were 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals," the MEA said on Monday night.

"As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition," it had said.