The plight of 13 Indian sailors stranded aboard a cargo ship at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk Port has drawn growing concern as intensified Russian missile and drone attacks continue to batter the Black Sea region. With the conflict showing no signs of easing, the crew remains unable to leave the port, prompting urgent diplomatic efforts by India and appeals from maritime organisations for their safe evacuation.
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine has assured that the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals remain its highest priority. The mission said it is in regular contact with the sailors, Ukrainian authorities and other stakeholders to closely monitor the evolving security situation and explore all possible measures to ensure their safety.
The stranded Indians are part of the 15-member crew aboard the merchant vessel MV AMIR1, which has been docked at Chornomorsk Port, located southwest of Odesa on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast. The vessel has remained anchored at the port as repeated missile and drone strikes have made it unsafe to sail.
According to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), all 13 Indian crew members are safe but are living under constant fear as explosions continue to occur in and around the port area. The union has urged the Government of India to intervene immediately and facilitate their evacuation before the security situation deteriorates further.
The crew’s ordeal has become even more alarming following reports of recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Videos shared from the vessel reportedly showed thick smoke rising near the harbour after fresh strikes, highlighting how close the conflict has come to civilian merchant ships. Although MV AMIR1 has not been directly hit, the vessel remains trapped in a high-risk zone where every passing day brings fresh uncertainty.
The latest incident comes only days after another merchant vessel, MV AGN Ragnar, was struck during an attack near Ukraine’s Odesa Port. The attack resulted in two Indian seafarers going missing, while two others were rescued. That incident prompted the Indian government to launch coordinated efforts with Ukrainian authorities to locate the missing crew members and ensure assistance for those affected.
The back-to-back incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers working aboard merchant ships operating in conflict-hit waters. India is among the world’s leading suppliers of skilled merchant navy personnel, with thousands of Indian sailors employed on cargo vessels transporting food, fuel, raw materials and essential goods across global shipping routes.
Maritime experts say that although merchant ships are civilian vessels, they have increasingly found themselves caught in the crossfire of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Black Sea ports such as Odesa and Chornomorsk remain strategically important for Ukraine’s exports, making them frequent targets of missile and drone attacks.
Commercial shipping in the region has faced repeated disruptions since the conflict began. While international efforts have occasionally helped restore limited maritime trade, the renewed escalation in attacks has once again placed civilian crews at significant risk. Ships entering or leaving Ukrainian ports now face complex security challenges, forcing many operators to delay voyages or suspend operations altogether.
The Indian Embassy in Kyiv has reiterated that it is actively following developments surrounding MV AMIR1. Officials said the embassy is maintaining communication with the ship’s management, Ukrainian authorities and the crew to assess the situation continuously. Diplomatic efforts are focused on ensuring that the Indian sailors receive all necessary assistance until it becomes safe for them to leave the port.
For the families of the stranded sailors, the uncertainty has become emotionally exhausting. Many remain in regular contact with their loved ones through phone calls and messages, but the constant reports of explosions and attacks have heightened anxiety back home. Every update from the conflict zone is followed with hope that the crew will soon be moved to safety.
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has stressed that seafarers are civilian professionals engaged in international trade and should never become victims of armed conflicts. The organisation has appealed not only to the Indian government but also to international maritime bodies and shipping companies to prioritise the protection of civilian crews working in dangerous waters.
