‘Leave Kyiv urgently’: Indian embassy issues fresh advisory for Indians amid Russia-Ukraine war

NEW DELHI: The Indian embassy in Kyiv on Tuesday issued a fresh advisory for the Indian nationals asking them to ''leave” the Ukrainian capital urgently as the Russia-Ukraine war intensified. 

“All Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available,” the Indian embassy said in its latest advisory for Indian students amid the ongoing conflict.

Advisory to Indians in Kyiv

All Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available.

— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) March 1, 2022

The Indian embassy had earlier issued several advisories for the Indian nationals asking them to ''stay calm and safe'' wherever they are in view of Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine. “All those travelling to Kyiv are advised to return to their respective cities temporarily. Further advisories soon,’’ it had said.

In order to scale up the ongoing evacuation efforts from Ukraine under “Operation Ganga”, PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for the Indian Air Force to join the evacuation efforts, said sources.

Leveraging the capacities of our Air Force will ensure that more people can be evacuated in a shorter time frame. It will also help deliver humanitarian aid more efficiently," sources said.

The Indian Air Force is expected to deploy several C-17 aircraft as part of Operation Ganga from today. Earlier today, a flight carrying 182 Indians landed in Mumbai. The flight flew out of Romanian capital Bucharest, as Ukraine has closed its airspace.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met President Ram Nath Kovind and briefed him on various issues, including the situation in Ukraine. According to the government sources, PM Modi updated him about the government`s efforts to evacuate Indian nationals from the war-torn country under the recently launched `Operation Ganga`.

He also updated him that over 1,600 Indian students have been evacuated from Ukraine till this morning as the seventh Air India Express flight landed in Mumbai with 182 Indians, mostly students, who departed from Budapest (Hungary) at midnight Monday.

PM Modi further updated him that he had directed the Ministry of External Affairs officials to make proper arrangements for the students who will be coming to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania till they depart for India.

Detailing the initiatives, the Prime Minister also apprised the President that four senior Cabinet Ministers are departing to the neighbouring countries Poland, Hungary Slovakia and Romania as his `Special Envoy` to oversee the evacuation mission and with the visit of four senior ministers to various nations will energise the evacuation efforts, the sources said.

He also updated Kovind that India will extend help to people from the neighbouring countries and developing countries who are stranded in Ukraine under India`s motto of the world being one family.

The first consignment of relief supplies to Ukraine to deal with the humanitarian situation on Ukraine`s borders would be dispatched Tuesday, the Prime Minister informed the President. Prime Minister Modi is personally monitoring the situation and he has already chaired three high-level meetings till Monday evening.

The Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is leaving for Romania and Moldova, Kiren Rijiju to Slovakia, Hardeep Singh Puri to Hungary and Gen VK Singh (Retd) will be going to Poland to oversee the evacuation of Indian nationals.