India summons Ukraine envoy over attack that killed Indian sailor

India on Monday summoned Ukraine's Ambassador to India, Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk, after an attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI killed an Indian national, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) conveying its "serious concern" over the incident.

The MEA said it condemned attacks on commercial shipping "in the strongest terms," stressing that such incidents undermine the safety of maritime navigation, freedom of navigation and international commerce.

During the meeting, the ministry asked the ambassador to convey India's strong concerns to the Ukrainian authorities over the targeting of commercial vessels. It reiterated that actions endangering the lives of innocent civilian seafarers are "unacceptable and must be avoided."


The ministry said the attack on MV OMORFI resulted in the "tragic death of an Indian national" but did not identify the victim or provide further details.

The diplomatic protest comes a day after the Indian Embassy in Kyiv said it was working to establish the whereabouts of two Indian crew members aboard MV AGN Ragnar, a merchant vessel that was struck while docked at Ukraine's Odesa port on July 25.

According to the embassy, four Indian nationals were on board MV AGN Ragnar. Two have been confirmed safe, while information is still awaited regarding the remaining two. Search and rescue operations are continuing in coordination with local authorities.

Officials have not disclosed the identities of the crew members or the circumstances of the strike. Odesa, Ukraine's largest Black Sea port, has repeatedly come under missile and drone attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, despite efforts to keep commercial shipping operating through the region.

India has also issued a fresh advisory urging Indian seafarers to avoid accepting assignments on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea and adjoining conflict-affected waters. The MEA has said the security situation in the region remains highly volatile and noted that five Indian nationals have died in attacks on commercial vessels since April this year.

The Indian Embassy in Ukraine said it continues to monitor the situation closely and is providing consular assistance as rescue efforts continue.