Three Indian nationals are among the crew members of MV Royad Mammadov, a commercial vessel that came under attack on Monday in the Black Sea, resulting in the death of two foreign nationals and injuries to several others, the Embassy of India, Bucharest, confirmed. The injured crew members are currently receiving medical treatment in Romania.

What the Embassy Said

In an official statement posted on X, the Indian Embassy said: 'We have learnt of an attack today on commercial vessel MV ROYAD MAMMADOV in the Black Sea. As per preliminary information, there have been 2 casualties (foreign nationals), while some crew members have been injured and are undergoing medical treatment in Romania. It is further reported that there are three Indian nationals among the crew members.'

The Embassy added that the Mission is in close contact with the relevant authorities to ascertain further details about the safety and welfare of the Indian nationals.

A Volatile Waterway Under Siege

The attack on MV Royad Mammadov is the latest incident in a sustained campaign of violence in the Black Sea, which has escalated into a highly volatile economic and military choke point. Both Russia and Ukraine are reportedly launching intensive, daily attacks on each other's commercial shipping, port infrastructure, and energy pipelines — turning one of the world's busiest maritime corridors into a war zone.

Notably, this is not an isolated episode. Commercial vessels traversing the Black Sea have faced repeated targeting since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with consequences that extend well beyond the two warring nations.

India's Diplomatic Engagement on Black Sea Safety

As recently as August, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha briefed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the deteriorating situation in the Black Sea during a phone conversation, discussing ways to restore freedom of navigation in the region.

In a post on X, Sybiha said: 'I had a phone call with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. I briefed him on the difficult situation in the Black Sea as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine and intensified attacks on our ports and maritime routes.'

Sybiha further underscored that Russia's attacks on Black Sea shipping lanes were not merely a bilateral issue — they directly threatened global food security. 'Russia's attempts to disrupt Ukrainian food exports pose a direct threat to global food security, reaching far beyond our region and putting millions of families worldwide at risk,' he said.

Broader Impact on Global Food Security

Ukraine is one of the world's largest exporters of wheat, sunflower oil, and maize, and the Black Sea route is critical to those shipments. Sustained attacks on port infrastructure and maritime routes have already disrupted supply chains and contributed to global food price volatility. The attack on MV Royad Mammadov underscores how civilian crews — including Indian seafarers — continue to bear the human cost of this geopolitical conflict.

What Happens Next

The Embassy of India in Bucharest is actively coordinating with Romanian and other relevant authorities to secure detailed information on the condition and whereabouts of the three Indian nationals. No further identities have been disclosed pending official confirmation. The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi is expected to issue an updated statement as more details emerge.