- MV AGN Ragnar was struck at the Port of Odesa on July 25, 2026, carrying four Indian nationals.
- Two crew members have been confirmed safe, while information is awaited regarding the other two.
- The Indian Embassy in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation, and search and rescue operations are underway.
- Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory flagging security risks in the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas.
- Indian nationals are advised to "carefully assess the prevailing security risks" before accepting assignments on commercial vessels in conflict-affected regions, and "exercise utmost caution".
- The advisory follows the death of five Indians in two attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea region since July 19.
- The government stated that the situation is "highly volatile" and commercial vessels face risks including "missile and drone attacks", with an increase in incidents since April 2026.
- The advisory requires obtaining comprehensive information from employers about the vessel's route, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage, and emergency response procedures.
- The terms of employment must comply with international maritime standards and provide for medical care, evacuation, repatriation, and compensation in emergencies.
- Sailors are advised to keep family members informed of itinerary and maintain regular contact, and to contact Indian embassy or consulates for consular assistance.
India has issued a warning to its nationals regarding security risks in the Black Sea following the incident involving the MV AGN Ragnar, which was struck at Odesa. The Indian Embassy confirmed that two crew members are safe, while information on the other two is still awaited.12347
The incident occurred on July 25, when the vessel was hit at one of Ukraine's key ports, which has frequently been targeted since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The embassy stated, "Embassy of India in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation" and is in constant touch with authorities to ascertain the status of the missing crew members.56
The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian nationals to carefully assess security risks before accepting employment on commercial vessels in the conflict-affected region. The advisory follows the recent deaths of five Indians in two separate attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, highlighting the volatile security situation in the area.10
The advisory emphasized that "commercial vessels operating in or transiting these waters are facing significant security risks", including missile and drone attacks. It urged sailors to obtain comprehensive information from employers regarding the vessel's route, security arrangements, and emergency procedures. The government also recommended that sailors keep their families informed of their itineraries and maintain regular contact.
Search and rescue operations are currently underway, as the embassy continues to provide consular assistance to Indian citizens in Ukraine.
“Two of the four Indian crew members on MV AGN Ragnar have been confirmed safe, while search and rescue operations continue for the other two. The advisory follows five Indian deaths in two Black Sea attacks since July 19, with the government citing 'highly volatile' conditions and risks of missile and drone strikes.”
