Two Indians missing after Russian drone strike on merchant vessel at Ukraine’s Odesa port
A Turkish merchant ship, the MV AGN Ragnar, carrying four Indian nationals was attacked near Ukraine's port of Odesa by a Russian drone
A merchant ship, the MV AGN Ragnar, carrying four Indian nationals was attacked near Ukraine's port of Odesa by a Russian drone on July 25. The Indian embassy in Kyiv reported that two of the four Indian nationals on board are safe, with ongoing efforts to ascertain the status of the other two. The attack caused significant damage to the vessel, including its living quarters and bridge, leading to a fire and the evacuation of the crew. This event underscores heightened maritime risks in the region, especially after another incident on July 18 where an Indian national lost his life in a separate attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea. In response to these developments, India has issued an advisory urging its citizens and shipping companies to carefully assess risks associated with employment on vessels operating in the conflict-affected Black Sea waters.
A merchant ship, the MV AGN Ragnar, carrying four Indian nationals was attacked near Ukraine's port of Odesa by a Russian drone on July 25. The Indian embassy in Kyiv reported that two of the four Indian nationals on board are safe, with ongoing efforts to ascertain the status of the other two. The attack caused significant damage to the vessel, including its living quarters and bridge, leading to a fire and the evacuation of the crew. This event underscores heightened maritime risks in the region, especially after another incident on July 18 where an Indian national lost his life in a separate attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea. In response to these developments, India has issued an advisory urging its citizens and shipping companies to carefully assess risks associated with employment on vessels operating in the conflict-affected Black Sea waters.
A merchant ship, the MV AGN Ragnar, carrying four Indian nationals was attacked near Ukraine's port of Odesa by a Russian drone on July 25. The Indian embassy in Kyiv reported that two of the four Indian nationals on board are safe, with ongoing efforts to ascertain the status of the other two. The attack caused significant damage to the vessel, including its living quarters and bridge, leading to a fire and the evacuation of the crew. This event underscores heightened maritime risks in the region, especially after another incident on July 18 where an Indian national lost his life in a separate attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea. In response to these developments, India has issued an advisory urging its citizens and shipping companies to carefully assess risks associated with employment on vessels operating in the conflict-affected Black Sea waters.
A merchant ship carrying four Indian nationals was attacked near Ukraine’s port of Odesa on Saturday.
The Indian embassy in Kyiv confirmed that two of the Indian nationals on the vessel are safe. They are, however, waiting for updates on the remaining two.
The embassy, in a statement on X, said that they were closely monitoring the situation following the incident.
The MV AGN Ragnar was struck at the port of Odesa on July 25.
Search and rescue operations are underway, and the embassy is in contact with concerned authorities.
The cargo ship was leaving the port of Sulia in Ukraine when it was struck by a Russian drone.
It was part of the Istanbul-based AGN Ship Management,
A fire broke out on the vessel, and its living quarters and bridge were damaged extensively. The crew was evacuated.
The incident comes days after an indian national lost his life in an attack on a commercial vessel sailing th black sea un Russian territorial waters
the commercial vessel MV OMORFI was carrying 10 crew members, out of which three were indians, when it came under attack on July 18.
"It has come to our attention that on July 18, 2026, the commercial vessel MV OMORFI was attacked while transiting the Black Sea, reportedly in Russian territorial waters. At the time of the incident, there were ten crew members on board, including three Indian nationals," the MEA said.
Odesa, Ukraine’s largest Black Sea port, had been a frequent target of missile and drone attacks.
India has issued an advisory for indian nationals who are considering employment on vessels operating in the Black Sea.
It urged Indian nationals and shipping companies to carefully assess the risks before accepting assignments in the conflict-affected waters.