The death of 21-year-old Abhishek Nishad from Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria in a Russian missile strike on an Indian-crewed merchant vessel off Ukraine has left his family devastated, with his father appealing to the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government for urgent assistance.
Abhishek was among the four Indian nationals killed after the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship MV Golden Leo was struck while departing Ukraine’s port of Odesa on July 19.
The family has sought the early repatriation of his mortal remains and financial and employment support following the tragedy.
Abhishek, a resident of Karmel village in Deoria district, had recently joined the Merchant Navy in the hope of improving his family’s financial condition.
According to his family, this was his first overseas assignment after leaving India on June 10 through a shipping company.
He had travelled to Turkey before reaching Ukraine, where the vessel loaded a consignment of maize bound for Syria.
Family members said the cargo ship came under a missile attack during its voyage, triggering a fire on board that claimed Abhishek’s life. He was the only son of Surendra Nishad and had two sisters.
His father runs a small ready-made garment shop at Baniyani Crossing, and the family had pinned its hopes on Abhishek’s new career.
THE FAMILY’S FINAL CONVERSATION
Surendra Nishad said the family last spoke to Abhishek on the evening of July 19 before all communication ceased. They later learnt from the shipping agent that the vessel had been attacked and were informed they would be updated once the body was recovered.
Recalling the final conversations with his son, Surendra Nishad said, “My son had joined the Merchant Navy; he went to Turkey, traveled through several countries to Ukraine, and was en route to Syria with a cargo loaded in Ukraine when the Russian missile attack occurred, killing him”.
He appealed to both the Government of India and the Uttar Pradesh government to bring his son’s body home at the earliest and extend all possible assistance to the family.
He further requested that the government provide employment to his two daughters based on their qualifications, saying the family had lost its only son in the attack.
BJP MLA from Rudrapur, Jai Prakash Nishad, visited the bereaved family and expressed condolences.
THE MV GOLDEN LEO VESSEL ATTACK
The attack on MV Golden Leo has triggered a strong response from New Delhi. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the grain-carrying vessel had 17 crew members, including five Indians.
Four Indian nationals were killed while another remains critically injured. India condemned the attack on commercial shipping, describing such incidents as “deplorable”, and reiterated that civilian vessels and innocent crew members should never be targeted.
The government also summoned Russian Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov to lodge a strong protest and seek an explanation over the deaths of the Indian nationals.
UKRAINE BLAMES RUSSIA FOR STRIKE
Ukrainian authorities have blamed Russia for the strike, stating that the vessel carrying corn was hit by Russian cruise missiles shortly after leaving Odesa.
The attack comes amid escalating hostilities in the Black Sea, where commercial shipping and grain exports have increasingly come under threat as the Russia-Ukraine war intensifies.
Abhishek’s death mirrors the tragedy of 26-year-old Akhil Joyan from Kerala’s Kasaragod district, another Merchant Navy officer killed in the same attack.
Akhil, who had recently got engaged and was due to marry next year, was the only son of his parents.
His family, too, has appealed for the swift repatriation of his body, while the Kerala government has coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and other agencies to facilitate the process.
As authorities continue efforts to identify and repatriate the victims, the families of those killed await answers and assistance, while India presses for accountability over one of the deadliest attacks involving Indian seafarers since the conflict in the Black Sea escalated.
– Ends
Published On:
Jul 21, 2026 17:37 IST
