Ukraine Urges India to Act on Russian Threats to Seafarers

On Wednesday, Ukraine issued a pointed statement highlighting the dangers faced by Indian seafarers due to ongoing Russian military actions in the Black Sea. The Ukrainian Embassy in India reported that 13 Indian crew members are currently stranded on the vessel MV AMIR 1, docked at the Port of Chornomorsk, amidst a backdrop of increasing missile and drone strikes from Russia. The embassy's statement emphasized the alarming situation, noting that Russia's aggressive tactics have already led to fatalities and injuries among Indian sailors operating in the area.

The embassy reassured that Ukrainian authorities are actively providing assistance and maintaining close communication with the Indian Embassy in Ukraine regarding the welfare of the stranded sailors. Additionally, Ukraine expressed frustration over the lack of response to its request for a discussion between the Ukrainian Foreign Minister and India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar concerning security issues in the Black Sea. The statement raised concerns about whether India's current safety advisories accurately reflect the heightened risks faced by Indian sailors in this volatile maritime zone. Ukraine pointed out discrepancies between advisories issued by India's Directorate General of Shipping, specifically comparing those for the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea, suggesting that the latter does not adequately address the severe dangers posed by ongoing Russian assaults on civilian shipping.