The Embassy of India in Ukraine has said it is giving the "highest priority" to the safety and well-being of Indian seafarers stranded in the war-hit country after a merchant vessel carrying Indian crew members docked at a Ukrainian port following damage.

The statement comes after the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) reported that 13 Indian sailors are stranded aboard MV Amir 1, which is currently anchored at Chornomorsk Port in Ukraine amid continuing drone and missile attacks in the surrounding region.

Embassy Monitoring Situation Closely

In an official statement, the Indian Embassy said it is fully aware of the situation and is maintaining continuous coordination with all concerned stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of the Indian nationals onboard.

The embassy emphasized that the welfare of Indian citizens remains its highest priority and that it is actively monitoring developments.

13 Indians Among 15 Crew Members

According to the Forward Seamen's Union of India, MV Amir 1 has a crew of 15 seafarers, including 13 Indian nationals. The vessel reportedly suffered damage before reaching the Ukrainian port, where it remains stranded.

The union has expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation around the port, stating that repeated drone and missile strikes have been reported in nearby areas, placing the crew at considerable risk.

Black Sea Remains High-Risk Zone

The incident comes amid escalating risks for merchant vessels operating in the Black Sea as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues.

This month alone, five Indian seafarers have lost their lives in separate incidents linked to the conflict. Four Indian crew members were killed after a Russian strike targeted a cargo vessel, while another Indian sailor died following a Ukrainian strike on a ship in Russian-controlled waters.

The repeated attacks have raised serious concerns over the safety of civilian shipping operating in the region.

India Previously Raised Concerns

Following the death of an Indian sailor earlier this month, India summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk to convey its concerns.

Earlier, after four Indian crew members were killed in a Russian attack on another merchant vessel, the Ministry of External Affairs had also summoned Russian Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov.

The diplomatic engagements underscored India's concern over the increasing vulnerability of Indian seafarers caught in the conflict while serving on international commercial vessels.

Merchant Ships Increasingly Caught in Conflict

Several commercial ships from third countries have become unintended victims of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

In one of the recent incidents, Ukrainian authorities said they targeted multiple vessels that they alleged were part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet." According to reports, the strikes involved dry cargo ships, an oil tanker, a gas carrier, a tugboat and floating cranes operating in the Black Sea.

The latest situation involving MV Amir 1 highlights the continuing risks faced by civilian maritime crews navigating one of the world's most volatile conflict zones.