NEW DELHI: India on Monday summoned Ukraine’s Ambassador to New Delhi, Oleksandr Polishchuk, to protest over an attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea that killed an Indian national, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The diplomatic move came days after New Delhi also summoned Russia’s top envoy over a separate attack on another commercial ship that killed four Indian seafarers.
In a statement, the MEA said it conveyed its “serious concern” over the July 18 attack on the Marshall Islands-flagged MV OMORFI, which resulted in the death of Indian seafarer Sagar Gupta.
According to the ministry, the vessel was attacked while transiting the Black Sea, reportedly in Russian territorial waters.
The ship carried 10 crew members, including three Indian nationals. Chief Officer Sagar Gupta was killed in the attack, while the other two Indian crew members were reported safe.
“The ministry conveyed its serious concern over the incident and condemned such attacks on commercial shipping in the strongest terms,” the MEA said.
INDIA SUMMONS UKRAINE’S AMBASSADOR !!!
India has summoned Ukraine’s Ambassador to New Delhi following the death of Indian seafarer Sagar Gupta in the Black Sea attack on merchant vessel MV OMORFI.
The Ministry of External Affairs has termed attacks on commercial shipping and… pic.twitter.com/x9VAP6lT3y
— Ravi Prakash Official (@raviprakash_rtv) July 27, 2026
According to the ministry, Ambassador Polishchuk was asked to convey to Kyiv that actions “which endanger the lives of innocent civilian seafarers are unacceptable and must be avoided.”
The ministry added that India “unequivocally condemns” attacks targeting commercial shipping and placing civilian crew members at risk.
“It is a matter of serious concern that the freedom of navigation and international commerce is facing increasing threats,” the MEA said.
The latest diplomatic protest follows another incident in which four Indian nationals were killed in an attack on a cargo vessel departing Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa.
Following that incident, New Delhi summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires, Vladimir Ladanov, as the Russian ambassador was away from the Indian capital, to register its protest over the deaths of the Indian crew members.
