Ukraine on Wednesday questioned India’s maritime safety advisory for the Black Sea and said its request to arrange a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the deteriorating security situation remains unanswered, as 13 Indian seafarers continue to be stranded aboard MV AMIR1 at Chornomorsk port.The Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi also drew attention to what it described as differing levels of protection provided under two recent security advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) — one for the Strait of Hormuz on July 15 and another for the Black Sea on July 23.While the advisory for the Gulf region directed shipping companies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz until further orders, the Black Sea advisory stopped short of issuing a similar instruction despite repeated missile and drone attacks on civilian shipping that have killed Indian seafarers.”Such a comparison raises serious questions as to whether the measures recommended for the Black Sea correspond to the level of risk faced by Indian seafarers, particularly in light of the repeated Russian attacks on civilian vessels and the loss of Indian lives,” the embassy said.It said 13 Indian seafarers remained stranded aboard MV AMIR1 at Chornomorsk under the continuing threat of Russian missile and drone attacks, adding that Ukrainian authorities were providing all possible assistance and remained in close contact with the Embassy of India in Ukraine regarding the affected crew.”We regret that our request to arrange a telephone conversation between Ukraine’s Foreign Minister and India’s External Affairs Minister on security in the Black Sea remains unanswered,” the embassy said.The remarks came hours after the Indian Embassy in Ukraine said it had accorded the “highest priority” to the situation and was in constant touch with all authorities concerned to ensure the safety and security of the Indian crew aboard MV AMIR1.The Ukrainian Embassy also endorsed the recent appeal by the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), which has sought stronger safeguards for Indian seafarers operating in high-risk maritime zones.”We share its concerns and expect that our repeated warnings regarding the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea, together with these calls from India’s maritime community, will prompt appropriate preventive measures by the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Directorate General of Maritime Administration to better ensure the safety and protection of Indian seafarers,” it said.The latest statement comes against the backdrop of a series of attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea involving Indian crew members.Earlier this month, four Indian seafarers were among 10 crew members killed when MV Golden Leo was struck near Odesa. Last week, merchant vessel MV AGN Ragnar was also hit at Odesa port with four Indian nationals on board, leaving two Indians still missing.Following the Golden Leo attack, India summoned the Russian Chargé d’Affaires and conveyed its concerns over the safety of Indian maritime workers. Referring to that move, the Ukrainian Embassy asked whether the Ministry of External Affairs would summon the Russian representative again as attacks on civilian vessels continue.”As Russian attacks continue to endanger Indian seafarers, will MEA summon the Russian representative once again for further explanations?” the embassy said.The DGMA’s July 23 advisory acknowledged the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea and advised shipowners, masters and seafarers to undertake voyage-specific security risk assessments, closely monitor official advisories and report any security incidents immediately.