“MV AMIR1, currently at Ukrainian port Chornomorsk with 15 crew on board, including 13 Indian seafarers, is trapped in a terrible and life-threatening situation,” The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) said in an appeal posted on X.
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Urgent Appeal | M.V. AMIR1
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— FSUI (@FSUIINDIA) July 28, 2026
The union said that the vessel, MV AMIR1, remained docked at the Black Sea port while hostilities continued nearby. It alleged that drone and missile strikes were being attempted in the immediate vicinity of the ship, leaving the crew living under constant fear of a direct hit.
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The Indian Embassy in Kyiv said in an official statement via X that it had been informed of the MV AMIR1 situation and was in constant touch with the concerned authorities.
The Embassy said it was also monitoring the case of MV AGN Ragnar, struck at Odesa on July 25 with four Indian nationals aboard, of whom two had been confirmed safe while search operations continued for the others.
A situation regarding MV AMIR1 with Indian seafarers onboard has been brought to our attention. We attach the highest priority to this and are in constant touch with all concerned to ensure safety and security of all Indians onboard. @MEAIndia
— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) July 29, 2026
The appeal came against the backdrop of a wider escalation in attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
Reuters reported that Ukraine and Russia had launched missile and drone strikes on vessels in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, a zone crucial for grain exports, with Ukraine’s military saying it struck at least 11 Russian vessels while Moscow said it hit a Ukrainian maritime vessel and a speedboat.
Earlier this year, Russian drones had reportedly struck two foreign-flagged ships near Chornomorsk, in an attack Ukrainian officials called deliberate targeting of civilian vessels and international trade.
The FSUI called on the shipowners, the vessel’s flag state, and the Government of India to step in without delay, guarantee the crew’s safety and arrange their prompt repatriation to India. “Indian seafarers must not be left as sitting targets in conflict zones. Act now,” it said.
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The appeal followed a day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) raised concerns with Ukraine over the safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea. On Monday, July 27, the MEA had summoned Ukraine’s ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, after an attack on the merchant vessel MV OMORFI near Odesa, which had four Indian crew members on board and resulted in the death of an Indian national.
The MEA condemned attacks on commercial shipping in the strongest terms and urged Kyiv to ensure civilian seafarers were not targeted.