India issues Black Sea advisory after strike in Ukraine's Odesa, calls maritime corridor 'highly volatile'

India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a fresh advisory urging caution for Indian nationals considering employment on commercial vessels in the Black Sea region, calling the security situation 'highly volatile'.

A merchant vessel carrying four Indian nationals was struck at Ukraine's Port of Odesa; two crew members are confirmed safe while two others remain unaccounted for.

Five Indian nationals have been killed since April 2026 due to the deteriorating security environment in the Black Sea.

On July 18, an Indian seafarer was killed when the merchant vessel MV Omorfi was attacked in the Black Sea, the second such attack within a week.

The advisory warns of persistent risks from missile and drone attacks and advises seafarers to verify vessel routes, security arrangements, insurance, and emergency procedures before accepting assignments.