New Delhi: India has issued a fresh advisory for its citizens seeking employment on commercial ships operating in conflict-affected maritime regions after another merchant vessel carrying four Indian nationals came under attack at Ukraine’s Port of Odesa. The incident marks the third such attack involving Indian seafarers in about a week, highlighting the growing dangers faced by civilian vessels navigating the Black Sea amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the vessel, identified as MV AGN Ragnar, was struck while docked at the Port of Odesa on July 25. Odesa, one of Ukraine’s busiest Black Sea ports, has remained a frequent target of missile and drone strikes since the war began in 2022.
The Embassy of India in Ukraine confirmed that four Indian nationals were on board the merchant ship at the time of the attack. As per the latest official information, two of the Indian crew members have been confirmed safe, while authorities are still awaiting information regarding the remaining two. Search and rescue operations are continuing, and the Indian Embassy said it is maintaining constant contact with Ukrainian authorities and other concerned agencies to ascertain the status of the missing crew members and provide all necessary consular assistance.
The latest strike comes against the backdrop of a worrying rise in attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea region. Since April this year, several civilian ships have reportedly come under missile and drone attacks, resulting in significant casualties, including the deaths of five Indian seafarers within a span of just a few days.
On July 18, an Indian sailor lost his life after a vessel reportedly transiting Russian territorial waters in the Black Sea was attacked. A day later, four more Indian seafarers were among ten people killed when another commercial vessel came under attack off the Ukrainian coast.
Following the deaths of four Indian nationals aboard the MV Golden Leo on July 19, India lodged a strong diplomatic protest by summoning the Russian Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi. Russia had reportedly claimed that the vessel was carrying military supplies destined for Ukraine. However, India rejected that assertion, maintaining that the ship was transporting grain as cargo. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar also raised the issue directly with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, underlining India’s concern over the safety of its citizens employed in international shipping.
In view of the deteriorating security environment, the MEA has advised Indian nationals intending to work on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea and adjoining conflict-affected maritime zones to carefully evaluate the prevailing risks before accepting such assignments.
The advisory urges prospective seafarers to obtain comprehensive details from employers, recruitment agencies and ship operators regarding the vessel’s intended route, ports of call, onboard security arrangements, insurance coverage and emergency response mechanisms before signing employment contracts. The ministry also advised Indian nationals to ensure that employment terms comply with international maritime standards, including adequate provisions for medical treatment, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in the event of an emergency.
Additionally, the government has urged Indian seafarers to keep their families informed about their travel plans and maintain regular communication throughout their deployment. Those requiring assistance have been advised to remain in touch with the Embassy of India and Indian diplomatic missions in the region.
With commercial shipping increasingly caught in the crossfire of the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Indian government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Indian nationals working overseas while continuing diplomatic engagement to ensure their safety in volatile regions.
