MEA Warns Indian Seafarers: Assess Risks Before Taking Black Sea Jobs Amid Rising Attacks
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday issued an advisory urging Indian seafarers to carefully evaluate security risks before accepting employment on commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea region. The warning follows a recent attack on a cargo ship carrying Indian crew at the Ukrainian port of Odesa.
The advisory, released on July 26, 2026, notes that the security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict. Commercial vessels face significant risks, including missile and drone attacks, which have increased since April, resulting in the deaths of five Indian seafarers.
Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine confirmed that a projectile hit the MV AGN Ragnar at the port of Odesa on July 25. The ship carried four Indian nationals; two have been confirmed safe, while information on the other two is awaited. Search and rescue operations are underway.
The MEA advised seafarers to obtain comprehensive information from employers and recruitment agencies regarding the vessel's route, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage, and emergency response procedures. Terms of employment should comply with applicable maritime standards and include provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation, and compensation in emergencies.
This is the second major incident in a month. On July 19, the MV Golden Leo, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship, was struck, killing ten seafarers, including four Indians. The MEA summoned the Russian Embassy's chargé d'affaires in response. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also raised the matter with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on July 22, expressing strong concern for the safety of Indian seafarers.
Russian Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Russia's communication with India but stated that Russian forces target vessels involved in transporting ammunition for the Kiev regime. The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal countered that the MV Golden Leo was a civilian ship, emphasizing that commercial shipping should not be attacked.
The MEA reiterated that Indian nationals should follow advisories from the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, including one issued on July 23. The embassy in Kyiv is in constant touch with authorities regarding the latest attack.
