A devastating missile strike in the Black Sea has claimed the lives of four Indian seafarers after a commercial merchant vessel came under attack off the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, marking one of the deadliest incidents involving Indian nationals in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to India's MEA, the attack targeted MV Golden Leo, a merchant vessel carrying an international crew. Five Indian nationals were on board at the time of the strike. Four lost their lives, while another remains in critical condition. Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched KH-59 and KH-69 cruise missiles, with one missile striking the starboard side of the vessel shortly after it departed Odesa, triggering a massive fire. Ukraine has accused Russia of attacking an unarmed commercial ship, an allegation Moscow has not publicly addressed. The victims include Kerala mariner Akhil Joyan, who has been identified as the first Indian casualty in the incident. The shipping company has informed the bereaved families, while the Kerala government is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and diplomatic authorities regarding assistance and repatriation. WATCH

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) say they have completed a three-month operation to seal one of Hamas' largest underground tunnel networks in southern Gaza.  According to the military, the 16-kilometre tunnel complex, known as "White Sparrow," reached depths of about 82 feet and contained around 80 rooms used as a Hamas command-and-control centre. The tunnel was also linked by the IDF to Mohammed Sinwar, brother of Yahya Sinwar. The IDF says combat engineers poured more than 30,000 cubic metres of concrete to permanently seal the tunnel after locating its entrance near the Philadelphi Corridor in Rafah.