Kyiv/New Delhi, Feb 24 (UNI) Amid bombings across Ukraine and air sirens going off, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv on Thursday said it is working on the modalities to evacuate its citizens though neighbouring countries on the western border of Ukraine. On Thursday morning, a large number of Indian students in Ukraine turned up outside the Indian Embassy in Kyiv. While not all could be accommodated inside the Embassy premises, the Embassy organized safe premises nearby and the students were moved there, according to sources. The sources said that no Indian national is currently stranded outside the Embassy. As fresh students arrive, they are being moved to the safe premises. The embassy is continuing to assist Indian nationals, including students, in Ukraine, the sources added. Meanwhile, the Indian Ambassador in Ukraine, Partha Satpathy, in a video message assured Indian nationals that the Embassy of India continues to operate round the clock, looking out for the safety and security of all Indians in Ukraine. “With the news of the war, the air space has been blocked; therefore our special flights have been affected, roads are also choked and train services have been disrupted.”
He said that “In this scenario, my advice to all of you is stay wherever you are in your normal area of habitation; if you are in transit please go back to your normal area of habitation, and if you are stranded in Kyiv, then reach out to friends, families, Indian community members and the Indian Embassy. “We are in touch with the authorities here for the safety and security of Indian citizens. The Govt of India, the MEA and the the Embassy of India are fully alert to the situation and working on modalities to see how we can evacuate our citizens through the neighbouring countries along the western borders of Ukraine. “But as I say, these times are uncertain, and therefore it is important to be clam, level headed and take necessary safety precautions that are important to all of us. We will continue to operate here till every Indian is back. Stay fit and stay calm.” Meanwhile, a team from the Indian Embassy in Hungary has been sent to the border post Zohanyi to help with the exit of Indians from Ukraine. The Indian mission is working with the Govt of Hungary to provide all assistance. The Indian Embassy said the Govt of India is closely monitoring the situation and evacuation plans are being worked out. The Indian Embassy issued a third advisory today, to say it is arranging to provide accommodation to Indians stranded in Kyiv and with bomb warnings going off, it also provided a link to the city administration’s underground bomb shelters.
It said that the Indian Embassy is identifying possible solutions to help the Indians, including evacuation, and asked them to always be aware of their surroundings, and not leave their homes unless necessary and always carry their documents with them.“As you are aware, Ukraine is under martial law, which has made movement difficult. For those students who are stranded without a place of stay in Kyiv, the Mission is in touch with establishments to put them up.“We are aware that certain places are hearing air sirens/bomb warnings. In case you are faced with such a situation, google maps has a list of nearby bomb shelters, many of which are located in underground metros. For those in Kyiv, the official link from KMDA Kyiv city administration is:h tt ps:// kYi vcity.aov.u a/ bezpeka ta p ravo por ja d ok/bom boskh oyy shcha ta ukryttja /“While the Mission is identifying possible solution to the situation, please be aware of your surroundings, be safe, do not leave your homes unless necessary and carry your documents with you at all times.”In another development, following the closure of the Ukrainian airspace, India activated alternate evacuation routes. More than 20,000 Indians, including students, are living and working in Ukraine, including in the border areas.High level meetings in the Ministry of External Affairs are being held on the Ukraine situation.Additional Russian speaking officials have been sent to India’s Embassy in Ukraine and are being deployed in countries neighbouring Ukraine, the sources said.India’s Embassy in Ukraine is functional and its advisories should be followed carefully, they added.Earlier, the sources said that the government is closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation, and the focus is on safety and security of Indians, particularly students.The MEA control room is also being expanded and made operational on 24×7 basis, the sources said.Earlier, the Embassy urged Indians to maintain calm and avoid travelling to Kyiv, as several explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital. It also asked all Indians to move to areas on the western border of Ukraine and not travel to Kyiv.The developments come as Russia authorised special military operations in Ukraine’s Donbas.India at the UN Security Council called for immediate de-escalation and refraining from any further action that could contribute to a worsening of the situation. The 24×7 helplines are: +38 0997300428 +38 0997300483 +38 0933980327 +38 0635917881 +38 0935046170