New Delhi: As Russian forces attacked targets across Ukraine, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv Thursday issued an advisory to Indians in Ukraine, asking them to ‘maintain calm and remain safe’.
“The present situation in Ukraine is highly uncertain. Please maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are, be it in your homes, hostels, accommodations or in transit,” the embassy said in a statement.
IMPORTANT ADVISORY TO ALL INDIAN NATIONALS IN UKRAINE AS ON 24 FEBRUARY 2022.@MEAINDIA @PIB @DDNEWS pic.twitter.com/e1i1lMuZ1J
— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) February 24, 2022
The Embassy further asked those traveling to Kyiv to return to their respective cities, especially “towards safe places along the western bordering countries”.
“All those who are traveling to Kyiv, including those traveling from western parts of kyiv, are advised to return to their respective cities temporarily, especially towards safe places along the western bordering countries, ” the advisory said.
In another advisory, the Embassy said that it continues to remain open and operate in Kyiv. “The Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of India are seized of the situation and are working on a mission mode to find a solution to this difficult situation,” the Embassy’s statement noted.
The Embassy continues to remain open and operate in Kyiv; We are working on mission mode to find a solution to this difficult situation, says Indian Ambassador to Ukraine Partha Satpathy pic.twitter.com/e5SkAI1TS1
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022
A third advisory was issued for all Indian nationals by the Embassy that said arrangements are being made for stranded students in Kyiv.
Third Advisory to all Indian Nationals/Students in Ukraine.@MEAIndia @PIB_India @PIBHindi @DDNewslive @DDNewsHindi @DDNational @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/naRTQQKVyS
— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) February 24, 2022
India is looking at ways to assist its nationals, especially students, in Ukraine amid fears of a larger conflict after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation against the eastern European country.
Official sources said India is closely monitoring the “rapidly changing” situation in Ukraine and how to assist the Indians in that country.
“Focus is on the safety and security of Indians, particularly students,” PTI reported, quoting a source.
It said the control room set by the Ministry of External Affairs a few days back is being expanded and made operational on a 24×7 basis.
There is no possibility of sending a special aircraft to Ukraine to evacuate the Indians including the Indian embassy staff as the airspace of Ukraine has been closed.
Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights in view of high risk to safety. As per estimates, over 15,000 Indians are currently staying in Ukraine.
Also read: ‘Under attack,’ says Ukraine as Russia targets country’s military infrastructure