India Issues Security Advisory For Citizens Working On Ships In Black Sea Amid Escalating Missile, Drone Attacks

New Delhi: The Central Government has advised citizens to carefully assess the security situation before taking up employment in conflict-prone maritime areas, particularly the Black Sea region. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday issued an advisory regarding security risks in the Black Sea and adjacent maritime areas.

What is there in the advisory?

The MEA issued a security advisory for the Indian nationals employed on commercial vessels operating in or transiting through the Black Sea region, citing rising risks from missile and drone attacks amid the ongoing conflict. 

"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," the MEA said in a statement. 

Advisory for Indian nationals undertaking employment on commercial vessels operating in Black Sea region ⬇️

🔗 https://t.co/0W6Hytj67T pic.twitter.com/UbL6Bln05m

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 26, 2026

The advisory suggested that Indian citizens should properly assess security-related risks before taking up jobs on ships passing through the Black Sea. The advisory states that extreme caution should be exercised in selecting such employment.

According to the advisory, commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea and adjoining waters face significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks. 

What is the reason of advisory?

The advisory was issued after five Indians were killed in two attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea region last week. The government also said that those who accept such job offers should exercise extreme caution. 

Recently, an Indian sailor was killed in an attack on the MV OMORFI in the Black Sea. The ship had a crew of 10, including three Indian nationals. The MV Omorfi was attacked on July 18 while transiting the Black Sea. The Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned this attack on the commercial vessel.