The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a fresh advisory cautioning Indian nationals planning to work on commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea region, citing a sharp rise in security risks due to the ongoing conflict. The government warned that the situation in and around the Black Sea remains “highly volatile,” with increasing instances of missile and drone attacks targeting commercial shipping routes.
According to the advisory, incidents involving commercial vessels have risen since April 2026, leading to the tragic loss of five Indian lives. In light of these developments, Indian nationals have been urged to carefully assess the risks before accepting employment in the conflict-affected maritime zone.
The government has urged Indian nationals to remain in touch with Indian missions in the region for any assistance. Emergency contact numbers for embassies in Russia and Ukraine have been provided as part of the advisory.
Check MEA’s Full Advisory Here
The security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict. Commercial vessels operating in or transiting these waters are facing significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks. Since April 2026, there has been an increase in the number of such incidents on commercial vessels, which has also resulted in the tragic loss of 5 Indian lives.
2. Indian nationals intending to undertake employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected region are advised to carefully assess the prevailing security risks before accepting such assignments. Those who choose to undertake such employment should exercise the utmost caution and observe the following precautions:
i. Obtain comprehensive information from employers/ recruitment agencies and ship operators regarding the vessel’s intended route, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage, and emergency response procedures. Ensure that the terms of employment comply with applicable international maritime standards and provide adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation, and compensation in the event of an emergency.
ii. Keep family members informed of your itinerary and maintain regular contact.
iii. Regularly monitor and comply with advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, and other relevant Government of India authorities, as well as safety instructions issued by vessel operators and the competent maritime authorities. In particular, Indian nationals are advised to refer to the recent Security Advisory issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, on 23 July 2026.
3. Indian nationals requiring consular assistance are advised to contact the Embassy of India or Consulates in the region. The emergency contact numbers are given below:
Emergency Contact Numbers:
Embassy of India, Russia: +7 9652773414
Embassy of India, Ukraine: +38 0933559958