Russian drone attack on cargo ship in Ukraine: Two Indian nationals missing

KYIV: A cargo ship stationed at Ukraine's Odesa port, the MV AGN Ragnar, was struck in a Russian drone attack late last night, leaving two Indian crew members missing.

Out of the four Indian nationals on board at the time, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv has confirmed that two are safe. Search and rescue teams are working around the clock to trace the two missing crew members, whose identities have not yet been publicly released. The embassy is closely monitoring the situation and staying in constant contact with Ukrainian authorities as the search intensifies.

Broader Context and Government Advisories

The Odesa port has faced recurring aerial strikes since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February 2022, making it a high-risk area.

In response to the escalating danger—and a noticeable rise in missile and drone attacks targeting commercial vessels—the Central Government has issued a firm advisory. Indian citizens are being urged to carefully evaluate the safety risks before taking up employment in conflict zones. Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has instructed Indian sailors working on commercial ships in these regions to keep their families regularly updated and share their latest details.

Emergency Assistance

For Indian nationals needing urgent consular help, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv has provided the following direct channels:

• Emergency Hotline: +380 93 355 9958

• Email Support: cons.kyiv@mea.gov.in / cons1.kyiv@mea.gov.in