A cargo ship, MV Royad Mammadov, was reportedly struck by Russian drones in the Black Sea, which led to the deaths of two crew members and injured one Indian national on board. The ship was engulfed in flames before ultimately sinking, with Romanian authorities managing to rescue 11 crew members. The incident raises significant safety concerns for maritime operations in the region.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed serious concern regarding the attack, labelling the targeting of commercial ships and their crews as a matter of “grave concern.” The MEA confirmed that all three Indian nationals aboard the vessel are safe, although one of them sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical care in Romania.

In a statement, the MEA underscored the broader implications of such attacks on merchant shipping within international waters, emphasising their detrimental impact on global trade and public welfare. The ministry reiterated its commitment to advocating for dialogue and diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts.

Status of Indian Crew Members

The Indian Embassy in Bucharest has verified that all crew members from India are accounted for and safe. It confirmed that one individual required medical treatment due to injuries sustained during the incident. Indian Ambassador to Romania, Manoj Mohapatra, personally communicated with the crew at Constana County Hospital and reached out to the hospital’s chief physician to ensure appropriate care.

Romanian authorities conducted a rescue operation that successfully retrieved 11 crew members from the MV Royad Mammadov following the fire. According to reports from Romanian officials, two individuals tragically lost their lives during the attack. The coordinates indicated that the ship sank approximately 30 nautical miles south of Sfantu Gheorghe.

The vessel was situated outside Romania’s territorial waters yet within its exclusive economic zone when the attack occurred, highlighting the complex legal and humanitarian issues surrounding the incident.

Allegations of Responsibility by Ukraine

Ukraine has accused Russia of being responsible for the assault on the civilian ship. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that two Russian drones targeted the vessel while it was transporting corn through Black Sea waters. He noted that the ship was Turkish-owned and included Azerbaijani and Indian crew members.

President Zelenskyy described the attack as a “horrific strike” against a civilian target operating in neutral waters. He confirmed the death of the ship’s captain amidst claims about the tragic circumstances of the attack, further escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia in the maritime domain.

The MV Royad Mammadov was en route to Ravenna, Italy, carrying corn and was flagged under St Kitts and Nevis. Vessel-tracking information indicates that it had previously docked at Izmail, a Ukrainian port that serves as a crucial outlet for exporting goods amid the ongoing conflict. This incident underscores the increasingly perilous nature of maritime trade in the western Black Sea region, affecting multiple nations involved in international shipping.

For India, this incident illustrates the severe risks faced by seafarers operating in areas affected by geopolitical strife. The Indian government has consistently expressed its apprehensions regarding the safety of its sailors caught in conflicts that are often distanced from their homeland.

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