13 Indian Sailors Stranded at Ukraine Port as Black Sea Attacks Intensify

Thirteen Indian seafarers remain stranded aboard a cargo vessel at Ukraine's Chornomorsk Port as intensified drone and missile attacks around the Black Sea continue to threaten commercial shipping, according to reports. The situation has raised fresh concerns over the safety of Indian sailors working in conflict-hit maritime regions. The sailors are part of a 15-member crew on the cargo ship MV AMIR1, which has been unable to leave the Ukrainian port due to the deteriorating security situation. The vessel has reportedly remained docked as repeated aerial attacks and military activity have made navigation through the Black Sea increasingly dangerous.

The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) has urged the Indian government to intervene and ensure the crew's safety. The union has appealed for urgent diplomatic efforts to facilitate either the evacuation of the stranded sailors or their safe departure once conditions permit. It also shared visuals purportedly recorded from the vessel, showing smoke rising near the port following nearby strikes. The development comes amid a sharp escalation in attacks targeting Ukraine's southern ports and shipping infrastructure. Recent strikes have affected merchant vessels operating in the Black Sea, increasing risks for civilian crews involved in international trade.

Indian authorities have been closely monitoring the situation after recent incidents involving Indian seafarers in the region. The government has reiterated the importance of ensuring the safety of Indian nationals employed on commercial vessels operating in conflict zones, while Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed officials to take every possible measure to protect Indian sailors from being caught in international hostilities.

India is among the world's largest suppliers of merchant navy personnel, with thousands of Indian seafarers serving on cargo ships across global trade routes. As geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt maritime operations, concerns over the safety of civilian crews have become increasingly prominent.

For the families of the 13 stranded sailors, the immediate priority remains their safe return. As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding an evacuation timeline, and the crew continues to remain aboard the vessel while the security situation around Ukraine's Black Sea coast remains volatile.