A merchant vessel carrying four Indian nationals was struck at Ukraine's Port of Odesa, with two crew members confirmed safe while information about the other two is still awaited, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv said on Sunday.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on Saturday when MV AGN Ragnar was hit at the Port of Odesa, one of Ukraine's key Black Sea ports that has frequently come under attack since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. The Indian mission, in a statement, said it is closely monitoring the situation.
“Embassy of India in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation following the incident involving MV AGN Ragnar, which was struck at the Port of Odesa on July 25,” it said. Four Indian nationals were on board the vessel at the time of the incident, the embassy said. “As per the latest information, two have been confirmed safe, and information is awaited regarding the other two nationals,” it said.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Search and rescue operations are currently underway, the embassy said, adding that it is in constant touch with the concerned authorities to ascertain the status of the missing crew members and extend all possible assistance. There was no immediate information on the source of the strike, the circumstances surrounding the incident or the total strength of the vessel's crew. The identities of the four Indian nationals and the nature of their duties on board were also not immediately known.
Context of the Attack
Odesa, Ukraine's principal Black Sea port, has remained a frequent target of missile and drone attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Merchant shipping in the Black Sea has periodically been affected despite efforts to keep maritime trade routes operational. The port has been hit multiple times, with attacks often disrupting grain exports and other maritime commerce.
India's Advisory for Citizens
India has repeatedly advised its nationals to avoid travel to Ukraine in view of the security situation and has been extending consular assistance to Indian citizens in the country since the conflict began. The Ministry of External Affairs has issued multiple advisories urging Indian nationals to stay away from conflict zones and to carefully assess security risks before taking up jobs in maritime conflict zones. The Indian Embassy remains in contact with local authorities to ensure the safety of Indian citizens.
