India Expresses Strong Protest Over Death of Indian Sailor in Black Sea Incident

India has taken a firm diplomatic stance by summoning the Ukrainian ambassador following the tragic death of an Indian sailor in an attack on a commercial ship in the Black Sea. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed serious concerns about the incident and condemned such attacks, highlighting the implications for maritime safety and international trade. This incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and India's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad. Read on to learn more about India's response and the broader context of this maritime conflict.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 17:42 IST

India's Diplomatic Response to Maritime Incident

New Delhi, July 27 - India summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk on Monday to express its strong disapproval regarding the death of an Indian sailor in an attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea last week. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the ambassador was informed of New Delhi's serious concerns regarding this incident and condemned such attacks on commercial ships in the strongest terms.

According to reports, the MV Omorfi vessel was caught in the crossfire of renewed hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, specifically targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes.

The Ministry's statement noted, “Today, the Ukrainian ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs. This action was taken in relation to the attack on the commercial ship MV Omorfi, which resulted in the tragic death of an Indian national.”

Furthermore, the statement emphasized the serious concerns regarding the safety of maritime navigation, freedom of navigation, and the adverse effects of such incidents on international trade.

It was requested that the ambassador convey India's grave concerns to Ukrainian authorities regarding the targeting of commercial vessels, reiterating that acts endangering the lives of innocent civilians and sailors are unacceptable and must be avoided.