Archive · 8 Oct 2026
India Condemns Attacks on Four Black Sea Vessels
India says four ships in the Black Sea area were attacked over two days.
Each ship had Indian seafarers aboard.
Some Indian crew members were injured, and people from the affected ships were rescued.
India condemned the attacks because they put ships and seafarers in danger.
India also thanked Bulgaria for leading one rescue operation.
It is working with other countries on a plan to protect seafarers.
India says it is talking with Russia and Ukraine about safer shipping and possible agreements not to attack ships.
The officials did not give an exact number of Indian seafarers killed in the Black Sea region and the Middle East.
India said four commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers were attacked in the Black Sea region over two days.
One Indian seafarer aboard the MB Rayod Mamadov was injured and is receiving hospital treatment.
All 18 crew members on the Palau-flagged MB Able, including seven Indians, were rescued; one Indian was injured.
The 23 Indian nationals aboard the Liberia-flagged Aframax Rio were safely rescued; injured people are receiving treatment.
India condemned the attacks, proposed international cooperation to protect seafarers, and said it was discussing shipping safety with Russia and Ukraine.
- Who
- Four commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers were attacked; India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the incidents.
- What
- India condemned attacks on the vessels and reported rescues and injuries among Indian crew members.
- When
- The attacks occurred over the two days before Jaiswal’s media briefing; the Alfa Watan was attacked on Tuesday.
- Where
- The Black Sea region, including an attack on the Alfa Watan near Bulgaria.
- Why
- The attacks put commercial maritime transport and seafarers at risk; India said it was pursuing safer shipping and possible non-attack arrangements.
India’s stated position
Other perspectives in the reports
Maritime attacks and shipping safety
India’s stated position
India strongly condemned the attacks, saying they endangered commercial maritime transport and seafarers, and called for safer shipping.
Other perspectives in the reports
The articles provide no response or alternative account from Russia, Ukraine, or any party responsible for the attacks.
Diplomatic approach to the conflict
India’s stated position
India said it had submitted a peace proposal to Russia and Ukraine and was discussing shipping safety, exports, and possible non-attack arrangements.
Other perspectives in the reports
The articles do not state Russia’s or Ukraine’s position on the proposal.
- Vessels attacked
- Four commercial vessels over 48 hours
- Vessels named
- MB Rayod Mamadov, Alfa Watan, MB Able and Aframax Rio
- MB Able crew rescued
- All 18 crew members, including seven Indian nationals
- Aframax Rio Indians rescued
- 23 Indian nationals
- MB Rayod Mamadov Indians
- Three Indian nationals were aboard; one was injured
- S4 Seafarers Proposal
- Co-chaired by India and Liberia and joined by 25 countries
- Deaths
- Jaiswal confirmed Indian seafarer deaths in the Black Sea region and the Middle East but did not provide an exact number