On July 25, 2026, the merchant vessel MV AGN RAGNAR was struck by a projectile at the Port of Odesa in Ukraine, according to the Indian Embassy in Ukraine. Four Indian nationals were on board the Liberia-flagged ship. Two have been confirmed safe, while the fate of the remaining two is unknown. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Embassy Response and Official Statement
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine stated: “MV AGN RAGNAR was struck at the Port of Odessa on July 25. Four Indian nationals were on board the vessel.” The embassy added that it remains in constant touch with local authorities to monitor the rescue efforts. The announcement did not specify who fired the projectile that hit the ship.
This incident follows a deadly attack on July 19, when the Guinea Bissau-flagged MV Golden Leo was hit near Odesa, killing 10 seafarers, including four Indians. That event prompted India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to summon the chargé d’affaires of the Russian Embassy in India to convey strong concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers.
Diplomatic Interventions
On July 22, on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Manila, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and conveyed India’s “strong concern” over the safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea region. Since April 2026, there has been a noticeable increase in such incidents, leading to the tragic loss of five Indian lives.
MEA Advisory for Indian Seafarers
In response to the escalating risks, the MEA issued an advisory listing precautions for Indian merchant seafarers. It warned that the security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains “highly volatile” due to the ongoing conflict. Commercial vessels operating or transiting these waters face “significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks.”
Indian nationals intending to work on commercial vessels in the conflict-affected region are advised to “carefully assess the prevailing security risks” before accepting assignments. Those who choose to proceed must exercise “utmost caution” and observe the following precautions:
- Obtain comprehensive information from employers, recruitment agencies, and ship operators regarding the vessel’s intended route, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage, and emergency response procedures.
- Ensure that the terms of employment comply with applicable international maritime standards and provide adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation, and compensation in the event of an emergency.
- Refer to the recent security advisory issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, on July 23, 2026.
Impact on Indian Seafarers
The MEA advisory underscores the heightened dangers faced by Indian seafarers in the Black Sea. Since April 2026, five Indian lives have been lost in such attacks. The Indian government continues to engage with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of its nationals and to seek accountability for the attacks.
The two safe crew members of the MV AGN RAGNAR are receiving support from the embassy, while families await news of the missing. The international maritime community is closely monitoring the situation, as commercial shipping in the Black Sea faces unprecedented threats amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
