New Delhi, July 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Ukraine on Monday urged the international community to step up pressure on Russia to end attacks on civilian shipping in the Black Sea, alleging that continued hostilities have endangered commercial vessels and claimed the lives of seafarers, including Indian nationals.
In a statement, the Embassy of Ukraine in India said Russia’s actions in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have posed serious risks to civilian navigation, resulting in casualties among merchant vessel crews, maritime pilots and other seafarers.
“The Embassy of Ukraine in India firmly believes that threats and risks to civilian navigation arising from Russia’s aggressive actions in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov can be minimised through an immediate response to any preventive warnings regarding the security situation in the region,” the statement said.
The embassy stated that Ukraine has consistently alerted its international partners, including senior Indian officials, about the growing security threats to commercial shipping since the conflict began.
Welcoming the advisory recently issued by Indian authorities for ships operating in or transiting the Black Sea, the embassy described timely preventive measures as essential for safeguarding seafarers and strengthening international maritime security.
It also expressed condolences to the families of Indian seafarers who lost their lives due to the deteriorating security situation and voiced hope that the issue would figure in discussions between the foreign ministers of India and Ukraine.
“The only sustainable way to restore maritime security is to increase international pressure on the Russian Federation to end its attacks on civilian shipping,” the embassy said.
The statement comes a day after India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) advised Indian nationals considering employment on commercial vessels operating in or passing through the Black Sea to carefully evaluate the prevailing security situation before accepting such assignments.
The MEA noted that the region remains highly volatile because of the ongoing conflict and warned that commercial vessels have increasingly come under missile and drone attacks.
According to the ministry, such incidents have intensified since April 2026 and have resulted in the deaths of five Indian nationals.
The advisory urged prospective seafarers to obtain complete information from employers and shipping operators regarding vessel routes, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage and emergency procedures. It also advised them to ensure that employment contracts comply with international maritime standards and include provisions for medical assistance, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in the event of an emergency.
The MEA further asked Indian nationals working in the region to remain in regular contact with their families and seek assistance from the Indian Embassy whenever required.
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