Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Alternative arrangements being made for evacuation of Indians
Amid closure of Kyiv airport and other airspac by Ukraine just after Russia started a military operation against it on Thursday morning, the Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukrain, issued fresh guidelines for the Indians living in different parts of Ukraine. It its advisory, the Embassy says, ‘The present situation in Ukraine is highly uncertain. Please maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are, be it in your homes, hostels, and accommodations or in transit.’
It further says, ‘All those who are traveling to Kyiv, including those travelling from western parts of Kyiv, are advised to return to their respective cities temporarily, especially towards safer places along the western bordering countries.’ The Embassy says, further advisories would be released.
It is noteworthy here that the evacuation of Indians from Ukraine, mostly students, has become challenging after closure of the airspace. Earlier, a special Air India flight had brought 242 students from Ukraine. The second special flight of Air India came back because of the airspace being closed in Ukraine.
However, Indian government is working on alternate plans also to bring back its citizens from there. For, Indian government is in constant touch with the authorities there. The focus of the Indian government is on the safety and security of Indian nationals.
The control room set up by the external affairs ministry in Delhi, is keeping close eyes over the issue and has been made operational round the close. Earlier, Indian students had been asked to come to Kyiv to take the special flights being operated by Air India, but now they have been advised otherwise.
TS Tirumurti, India’s permanent representative to the UN also underlined the priority of the Indian government while addressing a special session of the UN security council. He said the safe return of our citizens in Ukraine is on the top of our priority.
The Security Council has met twice in three days and discussed the situation.
It is important to note here that around 20,000 Indians are staying in different parts of Ukraine with majority being students. With Russian President Vladimir Putin authorising a military operation in support of the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine early on Thursday, things appear to be tough, tortuous and uncertain.
