Seafarers’ safety ‘top priority’, says Indian embassy in Ukraine amid Black Sea ship attacks

The FSUI has issued an “urgent appeal” regarding the MV AMIR1, saying 13 Indian sailors are among the ship’s 15 crew members who are “trapped in a dire and life-threatening situation”. Credit: X/@FSUIINDIA

Hours after the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) issued an urgent appeal in view of the “life-threatening” situation of 13 Indian seafarers aboard a commercial ship in the Black Sea, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine took note of the matter and said it was giving the matter “highest priority”.

“We have been alerted to the situation regarding the MV AMIR1 with Indian sailors on board. We attach the highest priority to this and are in constant contact with all concerned to ensure the safety and security of all Indians on board,” the Indian embassy said in a social media post.

Earlier on Tuesday (July 28, 2026), the FSUI issued an “Urgent Call” regarding the MV AMIR1, saying 13 Indian sailors are among the ship’s 15 crew members who are “trapped in a dire and life-threatening situation”.

“There are repeated drone and missile attacks in the immediate vicinity of the vessel. The crew lives in constant fear of a direct hit at any time. We urge all concerned authorities, ship owners, flag state and Indian government to immediately ensure their safety and ensure immediate repatriation. Indian seafarers must not be left as targets in conflict zones,” the FSUI said (June 228 late on Tuesday evening).

India issued the advisory to its sailors on July 26 against the backdrop of frequent attacks on civilian merchant vessels in the Black Sea and nearby regions, which have emerged as a naval front in the Russia-Ukraine war.

On July 18, a Ukrainian missile hit the MV OMORFI, killing one Indian sailor. This was followed on 19 July when the MV GOLDEN LEO was hit near Odesa harbor by projectiles fired by the Russian side, leaving ten sailors dead, four of whom were Indian. This was followed by a strike by MV AGN Ragnar in the port of Odesa on 25 July. There were four Indian nationals on board this ship, two of whom have been declared safe by the Indian Embassy in Kyiv and two have yet to be found.

On 22 July, India summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires over the bombing of MV GOLDEN LEO, and the Ukrainian ambassador was summoned by the MEA on Monday (27 July 2026) over the bombing of MV OMORFI, and both sides were told of India’s “strong concerns” about attacks on commercial vessels.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) said that India is the second largest supplier of seafarers in the world and has sought the safety and protection of these seafarers in conflict zones around the world.

Published – 29 Jul 2026 11:49 IST