New Delhi, Oct 6, 2026
Indian Nationals Among Crew as Russian Drone Strike Hits Cargo Vessel in Black Sea
In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the maritime community, a civilian cargo ship—the MV Royad Mammadov—was struck by two Russian drones while navigating neutral waters in the Black Sea on Monday. The vessel, which was transporting a cargo of corn, was reportedly Turkish-owned and manned by a multi-national crew, including citizens from India and Azerbaijan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the attack via social media, describing it as a “horrific strike” on a civilian target. Official reports indicate that the ship’s captain lost his life in the assault. While 11 crew members were successfully rescued from the burning vessel, authorities remain uncertain about the whereabouts of one additional crew member.
Status of Indian Crew Members
The Indian Embassy in Romania, which is coordinating the regional response, confirmed that three Indian nationals were serving on board the vessel at the time of the attack. In an encouraging update, the mission confirmed that all three Indian citizens have been accounted for and are safe.
“We have spoken to them,” the Indian mission stated on X. “One of them has been injured and is receiving medical attention. We are in close touch with the hospital authorities and are extending all possible support for the welfare and wellbeing of the Indian crew members.”
While preliminary assessments suggested two fatalities among the broader crew, the Indian mission is working closely with local authorities to verify the identities of the casualties and ensure that the injured receive the necessary medical care in Romanian facilities.
Escalating Tensions in the Black Sea
The MV Royad Mammadov incident underscores the extreme peril facing commercial shipping in the Black Sea, a vital corridor for global food security. President Zelenskyy used the opportunity to reiterate his call for international action, urging global leaders to implement concrete measures to secure these trade routes.
“Pressure is needed to restore global food security. And everyone who is genuinely interested in this must help,” Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing that Ukraine has repeatedly proposed de-escalation strategies to prevent such tragedies.
The Black Sea has become a volatile theater of conflict, with both port infrastructure and commercial vessels frequently caught in the crossfire of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The disruption to these shipping lanes poses significant risks to international supply chains, particularly regarding the export of grain and other agricultural commodities.
Growing Safety Concerns for Indian Citizens
The attack on the cargo ship marks the second incident in as many days involving Indian interests in the conflict zone. On Sunday, a 52-year-old employee working at a pharmaceutical warehouse owned by Indians was killed in a separate Russian strike in Ukraine’s Sumy region.
These back-to-back events have amplified concerns regarding the safety of Indian nationals working in or traveling through areas impacted by the hostilities. The Ministry of External Affairs and the relevant diplomatic missions remain on high alert, maintaining constant communication with the affected individuals and local authorities to ensure the protection of Indian citizens caught in the region’s worsening security climate.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
