Black Sea attacks on Indian-crewed ships escalate; 32 vessels hit in 2026

Attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea have intensified, with 32 ships carrying Indian seafarers struck this year, including four in the first week of October—two attributed to Russia and two to Ukraine. The targeting of neutral-flagged merchant vessels marks an escalation in the maritime dimension of the Russia-Ukraine war, threatening trade flows and seafarer safety. The pattern suggests both belligerents are expanding their naval operations against commercial traffic, raising risks for global shipping and insurance costs.