Two Indian crew members are missing while two others have been confirmed safe after a commercial ship carrying Indian nationals came under attack at Ukraine's strategic Black Sea port of Odesa.
The Indian Embassy in Kyiv reported that the merchant vessel, identified as MV AGN Ragnar, was struck during an attack at the port facility. Four Indian nationals were on board the ship at the time of the strike. While two of the crew members were evacuated safely, search and rescue operations remain underway to locate the remaining two missing seafarers.
The embassy stated via official channels that it is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining continuous communication with Ukrainian local authorities to determine the status of the unlocated crew members and provide necessary consular assistance. The identities of the Indian nationals and their specific roles on board have not yet been publicly disclosed.
The port of Odesa, a major maritime hub for Ukrainian commercial shipping on the Black Sea, has been a frequent target of missile and drone strikes since the conflict began in February 2022. Commercial navigation in the region continues to face significant risks despite ongoing efforts to keep trade routes operational.
This incident follows recent maritime strikes in the Black Sea that have targeted commercial shipping. The Indian government has strongly condemned attacks on civilian vessels and commercial transit, reiterating that endangering innocent crew members and disrupting freedom of navigation is unacceptable and must be avoided. Authorities have also issued security advisories urging Indian seafarers to exercise extreme caution in conflict-affected waters.
