Indian Seafarers in Peril: Third Ship Hit in Odesa; Two Missing

In a troubling escalation of attacks on commercial shipping, a merchant vessel carrying four Indian crew members came under fire at Ukraine's Odesa port on Saturday. The Indian Embassy in Kyiv confirmed on Sunday that two of the seafarers are safe, but information on the remaining two is still awaited.

This marks the third such incident in approximately a week, raising serious concerns for the safety of Indian seafarers in the region. Since July 18, five Indian sailors have lost their lives in the Black Sea area due to ongoing hostilities.

In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a fresh advisory on Sunday, urging Indian nationals to carefully assess the security situation before accepting employment in maritime zones witnessing conflict, particularly in the Black Sea region. The advisory underscores the heightened risks and advises citizens to avoid non-essential travel to areas affected by the Russia-Ukraine war.

The targeted vessel, MV AGN Ragnar, was anchored at the Port of Odesa—one of Ukraine's key Black Sea ports that has been repeatedly struck by missiles and drones since the conflict began in February 2022. The port has critical importance for Ukraine's grain exports and civilian shipping, but remains a frequent target of Russian attacks.

India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and has urged all parties to ensure the safety of civilians, including seafarers. The latest incident highlights the collateral impact of the war on international maritime trade and the lives of those who work at sea.