Two Indians missing after MV AGN Ragnar attack at Odessa: MEA
Synopsis
Two Indian crew members remain unaccounted for nearly a week after the MV AGN Ragnar was attacked at Ukraine's Port of Odessa — and this is the second such incident in the Black Sea region in days. With search operations spanning both Ukraine and Romania, the MEA's public update signals diplomatic urgency but no breakthrough yet.
Key Takeaways
The MV AGN Ragnar was attacked at Ukraine's Port of Odessa on 25 July with four Indian nationals on board.
Two Indians have been confirmed safe; two remain missing as of 31 July .
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed India is coordinating with both Ukraine and Romania on search and rescue operations.
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine released an official statement and is in constant contact with concerned authorities.
This follows a separate incident in which an Indian national reportedly died in a Black Sea vessel attack, reportedly in Russian territorial waters, just days earlier.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, 31 July confirmed that two Indian nationals remain missing following the attack on the cargo vessel MV AGN Ragnar at Ukraine's Port of Odessa on 25 July, and that New Delhi is in active coordination with both Ukrainian and Romanian authorities to locate them. The government said it is also in direct contact with the families of the missing crew members.
What Happened to MV AGN Ragnar
The MV AGN Ragnar came under attack on 25 July as it was departing Odessa port. Four Indian nationals were part of the vessel's crew. Two have since been confirmed safe, while the fate of the remaining two is still unknown. Search and rescue operations are ongoing on both the Ukrainian and Romanian sides of the Black Sea.
What the MEA Said
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, provided an update on the situation. 'MV AGN Ragnar, this particular ship came under attack on 25th July as it was leaving Odessa port. There were four Indians on board the ship as part of the crew. Two of them are safe, as I informed you earlier. Two of them are missing. The search and rescue operations have been carried out both on the Ukrainian side and also on the Romanian side. We remain in close touch with both the Ukrainian side and the Romanian side to see if we can get some results. We have also been in touch with the family members of the two Indian nationals who are missing, and we are offering all possible support to them,' Jaiswal said.
Indian Embassy Statement
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine had earlier released a statement on Sunday confirming that four Indian crew members were aboard the vessel when it was struck. The embassy noted that search and rescue operations were already underway and that it was in constant contact with the relevant authorities. The statement was released on X (formerly Twitter), stating: 'Embassy of India in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation following the incident involving MV AGN Ragnar which was struck at the Port of Odessa, on 25 July. Four Indian nationals were on board the vessel. As per the latest information, two have been confirmed safe, and information is awaited regarding the other two nationals.'
Broader Context: Indians at Risk in the Black Sea
This incident follows closely on a separate tragedy in the region. An Indian national reportedly lost his life in an attack on a commercial vessel while transiting the Black Sea, reportedly in Russian territorial waters, just days before the Odessa strike. The back-to-back incidents have drawn attention to the mounting risks faced by Indian maritime workers operating in the war-affected Black Sea corridor. Notably, this is at least the second incident involving Indian crew members in the region within a short span, raising questions about the adequacy of risk advisories for Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in conflict-adjacent waters.
What Happens Next
The MEA has not specified a timeline for the conclusion of search and rescue operations. New Delhi continues to press both Ukraine and Romania for updates. The families of the two missing nationals are being kept informed, according to Jaiswal. With the Black Sea remaining an active conflict zone, the situation underscores the need for stronger consular frameworks for Indian maritime workers in high-risk regions.
Point of View
But the underlying situation is alarming — this is at least the second incident involving Indian maritime workers in the Black Sea in a matter of days. India has a large diaspora of seafarers working on commercial vessels globally, yet risk advisories for conflict-adjacent waterways remain reactive rather than preventive. The coordination with Ukraine and Romania is the right move, but the broader question — why Indian crew members continue to serve on vessels transiting one of the world's most active conflict zones without stronger government-level safeguards — is one that the MEA has not yet addressed publicly.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the MV AGN Ragnar at Odessa?
The MV AGN Ragnar was attacked on 25 July as it was leaving Ukraine's Port of Odessa. Four Indian nationals were part of the crew; two have been confirmed safe, and two remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.
What is India doing to find the two missing Indians?
The MEA has confirmed that India is in close coordination with both Ukrainian and Romanian authorities to support ongoing search and rescue operations. The government is also in direct contact with the families of the two missing crew members and is offering all possible assistance.
Is there a connection to earlier Black Sea attacks on Indian nationals?
Yes. This incident came just days after an Indian national reportedly died in a separate attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Black Sea, reportedly in Russian territorial waters. The two incidents have raised concerns about the safety of Indian maritime workers in the region.
Which countries are involved in the search operation?
Search and rescue operations are being conducted on both the Ukrainian and Romanian sides of the Black Sea. India's MEA is coordinating with authorities in both countries.
What did the Indian Embassy in Ukraine say?
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine released a statement confirming that four Indian nationals were on board the MV AGN Ragnar when it was struck on 25 July. It stated that two have been confirmed safe, search and rescue operations are underway, and the embassy is in constant contact with the concerned authorities.
