13 Indian seafarers trapped onboard ship near Ukraine amid attacks in Black Sea, union urges safe repatriation
The sailors' union has also warned that the stranded crew is caught in a "terrible and life-threatening situation" and is living in "constant fear of a direct hit at any moment" as Russia and Ukraine continue fighting near the Black Sea port.
PTC News Desk: Thirteen Indian seafarers aboard a cargo vessel at Ukraine's Chornomorsk port are reportedly trapped amid drone and missile assaults continuing near the Black Sea port, the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) said.
The sailors' union has also warned that the stranded crew is caught in a "terrible and life-threatening situation" and is living in "constant fear of a direct hit at any moment" as Russia and Ukraine continue fighting near the Black Sea port.
"Urgent Appeal | M.V. AMIR1, currently at Ukrainian port Chornomorsk with 15 crew on board, including 13 Indian seafarers, is trapped in a terrible and life-threatening situation," FSUI said in a post on X.
"Repeated drone and missile attacks are being attempted in the immediate vicinity of the vessel. The crew is living under constant fear of a direct hit at any moment," it added, urging the Indian government, shipowners, the flag state of the ship, and other authorities to immediately secure the crew's safety and arrange prompt repatriation.
Urgent Appeal | M.V. AMIR1
— FSUI (@FSUIINDIA) July 28, 2026
M.V. AMIR1, currently at Ukrainian port Chornomorsk with 15 crew on board, including 13 Indian seafarers, is trapped in a terrible and life-threatening situation.
Repeated drone and missile attacks are being attempted in the immediate vicinity of the… pic.twitter.com/tIIwuC9Mdk
"Indian seafarers must not be left as sitting targets in conflict zones. Act now," it added.
The sailors' union has warned that the stranded crew is in a "dangerous and life-threatening situation" and is living in constant fear as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues near the Black Sea port. The union also shared a video, reportedly filmed from the ship, showing thick smoke rising near the vessel, highlighting the worsening security situation in the area.
So far, neither the Indian Ministry of External Affairs nor the shipping company has responded to reports that 13 Indian sailors are stranded.
The distress call comes amid a series of recent attacks on merchant ships operating near Ukraine's southern coast. On Monday, India summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk and strongly protested the death of an Indian sailor in an attack on a merchant vessel in the Black Sea last week.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it expressed serious concern over the incident and strongly condemned attacks on commercial ships.
According to reports, the merchant vessel MV Omorfi was hit during Ukrainian drone strikes as fresh fighting broke out between Russia and Ukraine.