Ukraine crisis: Russia has provided hundreds of buses to evacuate Indians, says Russian envoy

Russia has provided hundreds of buses and is waiting to take Indians out. A group of diplomats has been sent to Belgorod from the Indian embassy to deal with this issue on the spot and coordinate actions with the Russian side, said Russian envoy to media.

Image credit: Reuters

New Delhi: Russia-Ukraine war on Saturday (March 5) reached its 10th day and led to Russia blocking Meta Platforms Inc`s Facebook in response to what it said were restrictions of access to Russian media on the platform.

It comes hours after Russia seized Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, after shelling on it that led to a fire in the facility but made no changes to the radiation level or essential equipment. The US has called the attack a war crime.

President Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, denied Russia’s involvement in the airstrikes that hit Kyiv and Kahrkhiv in recent days and said he is ready to hold peace talks as long as Moscow's demands are met.

Meanwhile, under India’s evacuation mission from Ukraine, operation Ganga, 6,998 Indians have already been evacuated while over 7,400 will be brought back home in the next two days, announced MEA.

Thank You for staying tuned for more updates on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

05 March 2022

23:00 IST

Another 13 flights under Operation Ganga coming in today carrying approximately 2500 Indian nationals: EAM S Jaishankar said in a tweet.

Another 13 flights under #OperationGanga today carrying approximately 2500 Indian nationals. https://t.co/QwPsIeXAqx

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 5, 2022

23:00 IST

Israel PM Naftali Bennett meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at Kremlin for Ukraine talks, reports AFP quoting spokesperson

20:54 IST

Poland is doing vital work to respond to this crisis. It has done a great deal to facilitate security assistance to Ukraine. Since Jan 30, the US has more than doubled the number of military personnel deployed in Poland to now more than 10,000: US Secy of State Antony J Blinken.

20:52 IST

PM Modi chairs high-level meet on Russia-Ukraine conflict.

#WATCH | PM Modi chairs a high-level meeting on the #Ukraine issue. pic.twitter.com/o80S9rcBI4

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2022

20:13 IST

Russia has provided hundreds of buses and is waiting to take Indians out. A group of diplomats has been sent to Belgorod from the Indian embassy to deal with this issue on the spot and coordinate actions with the Russian side: Russian envoy to media

19:42 IST

Ukraine-Russia crisis will have consequences for the whole world including Russia-India ties, to what extent, it'll be reflected, can't say now. There may be an impact in terms of transactions, possibility of financial cooperation in connection with sanctions: Russian envoy to media

19:42 IST

Ukraine-Russia crisis will have consequences for the whole world including Russia-India ties, to what extent, it'll be reflected, can't say now. There may be an impact in terms of transactions, possibility of financial cooperation in connection with sanctions: Russian envoy to media

19:39 IST

Volunteers provide food to students living in shelter homes in Budapest, Hungary.

Volunteers provide food to students living in shelter homes in Budapest, Hungary

"The food is coming from many places. People, restaurants are donating it. We collect the food, pack it and then distribute it to the students," said Harshit, a volunteer#RussiaUkraineCrisis pic.twitter.com/aKOhir4OEP

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2022

19:39 IST

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that any country that sought to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be considered by Moscow to have entered the armed conflict, reports AFP

18:07 IST

Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot halts all international flights from March 8: Russia's Moscow Times

16:35 IST

3 buses organised by govt of India have reached Pisochyn and will shortly be making their way westwards. 2 more buses will be arriving soon.

3 buses organised by GoI have reached Pisochyn and will shortly be making their way westwards.
2 more buses will be arriving soon.
Safe travels to all our students.

Be Safe Be Strong @opganga @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/oHKLXHx0rg

— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) March 5, 2022

16:34 IST

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Charles Michel, President of the European Council in Brussels as the two discussed their "support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Joined @eucopresident Michel for an important meeting in Brussels. The United States and the European Union remain united in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. pic.twitter.com/boKawPkonL

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 5, 2022

15:41 IST

Pressing Russia, Ukraine for the safe evacuation of Indians: MEA

We are deeply concerned about Indian students in Sumy, Ukraine. Have strongly pressed Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor for our students, said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet.

We are deeply concerned about Indian students in Sumy, Ukraine. Have strongly pressed Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor for our students.

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 5, 2022

15:41 IST

Advisory for Indian students in Ukraine

Have advised our students to take safety precautions, stay inside shelters and avoid unnecessary risks. Ministry and our Embassies are in regular touch with the students, said Arindam Bagchi, MEA Spokesperson.

14:17 IST

Indian embassy to evacuate students from Pisochyn

The embassy of India in Ukraine says they arranged buses to evacuate 298 Indian students from Pisochyn, in Kharkiv.

14:05 IST

Over 66,200 Ukrainian men came back from abroad to fight, says defence minister

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Saturday that 66,224 Ukrainian men had returned from abroad to join the fight against Russia`s invasion.

"That`s how many men returned from abroad at this moment to defend their country from the horde. These are 12 more combat and motivated brigades! Ukrainians, we are invincible," Reznikov said in an online post.

13:35 IST

Several students are still stuck in Kharkiv, says Indian in Poland

Several students are still stuck in Kharkiv. We left Ukraine on March 1 amid bombing and shelling. After crossing the Poland border Indian govt provided us help, says Pratyush Chaurasia who escaped from Kharkiv and reached Rzeszow in Poland.

13:31 IST

Ceasefire begins in Ukraine's Mariupol and Volnovakha

The corridors will serve to evacuate civilians and deliver food & medicine to the cities that have been cut off from the world.

The ceasefire is declared for 9 am- 4 pm today (local time).

The evacuation of civilians is set to start at 11 am. Mariupol, of 440,000 people, and Volnovakha, of 21,000 people, have been largely cut off water, heat, and electricity, Kyiv Independent reported.

13:09 IST

Ceasefire to be observed in two areas of Ukraine

Russian state media say Russia's military will observe a ceasefire in two areas of Ukraine so civilians can evacuate,

12:09 IST

Ceasefire to be observed from 7:00 GMT: Sputnik

Russia's media outlet Sputnik issued a correction and said, "Russia declares ceasefire in Ukraine from 07:00 GMT to open humanitarian corridors for civilians"

12:03 IST

Russia declares ceasefire to evacuate civilians

Russia declares a ceasefire in Ukraine from 06:00 GMT to open humanitarian corridors for civilians.

12:02 IST

Stranded Indian student's birthday celebrated in Romanian camp

The birthday of an Indian student, Kartik was celebrated at a camp on the Romanian border yesterday.

Birthday of an Indian student, Kartik was celebrated at a camp on Romanian border yesterday. pic.twitter.com/wGWAEC6tx1

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2022

11:02 IST

Ukrainian port city Mariupol under 'blockade' by Russian forces

After days of "ruthless" attack, Mariupol is under a "blockade" by Russian forces, said Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko on Saturday, according to a media report.

10:35 IST

Efforts to bring back the mortal remains of Indian student died in Ukraine

Efforts to bring back Naveen Shekharappa's (an MBBS student who died in shelling in Ukraine) body is in progress. We're in touch with the Indian embassy, also spoke to External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on the matter: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

09:52 IST

Over 1.2 million fled Ukraine since Russian invasion

More than 1.2 million refugees have left Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

09:39 IST

NMC to allow evacuated Indian medical students to complete internships in India

Amid the ongoing evacuation of Indian medical students from Ukraine, National Medical Commission (NMC) allows Foreign Medical Graduates with incomplete internships due to compelling situations like the Covid19 & war...to apply to complete internships in India if they clear FMGE.

Amid the ongoing evacuation of Indian medical students from #Ukraine, National Medical Commission (NMC) allows Foreign Medical Graduates with incomplete internships due to compelling situations like the Covid19 & war...to apply to complete internships in India if they clear FMGE pic.twitter.com/tqxeCNPdYy

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2022

09:27 IST

Three more flights carrying 629 Indian citizens land in Delhi

The Indian Air Force on Saturday brought back 629 evacuated Indian nationals from Ukraine`s neighbouring countries Romania, Slovakia and Poland as part of the ongoing `Operation Ganga`.

09:15 IST

Indian students come back home from Ukraine

Indian students stuck in Ukraine return home on special flights and reunite with their families. Visuals from Delhi airport.

#WATCH | Indian students stuck in Ukraine return home on special flights and reunite with their families. Visuals from Delhi airport. #RussiaUkraineCrisis pic.twitter.com/INJYNrW6gM

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2022

08:50 IST

Russia fired over 500 missiles on Ukraine since the attack

Russia has fired more than 500 missiles in the week since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

Russia is launching all different types of missiles at a rate of about two dozen per day, a Pentagon official said as per Ukraine's The Kyiv Independent report

08:32 IST

Over 2500 Indians brought back home under Operation Ganga

To date, the IAF has flown 10 flights to bring back 2056 passengers, while taking 26 tonnes of relief load to these countries, as part of Operation Ganga, reported ANI.

Three C-17 heavy-lift transport aircraft of IAF, that took off yesterday from Hindan airbase, landed back at Hindan this morning.

These flights evacuated 629 Indian nationals from Romania, Slovakia & Poland & also carried 16.5 tonnes of relief load from India to these countries.

07:53 IST

UN welcomes Russia-Ukraine talks

The United Nations has welcomed Russia-Ukraine talks and expressed the hope that all agreements will be implemented without delay.

"We welcome the reported agreement between the Ukrainian and Russian negotiators during their second round of talks in Belarus yesterday," the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said in a statement on Friday.

07:46 IST

Samsung's shipment around Russia suspended

Samsung Electronics says shipments to Russia have been suspended "due to current geopolitical developments.

"Samsung is also donating $6 million, including $1 million in consumer electronics, to actively support humanitarian efforts “around the region," The Kyiv Independent reported.

07:40 IST

Kamala Harris to visit Europe

Amid an escalating Ukrainian crisis, US Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Poland and Romania next week to unite her European allies against Russian aggression.

Her visit will demonstrate the strength and unity of the NATO Alliance and the US.

07:39 IST

Operation Ganga

A special Indigo flight, carrying 229 Indian nationals from Ukraine, arrived in Delhi from Suceava in Romania on Friday morning.

07:37 IST

Russia blocks Facebook

Russia is blocking Meta Platforms Inc`s Facebook, the country's communications regulator said on Friday, in response to what it said were restrictions of access to Russian media on the platform.

07:36 IST

Explosions in Kharkhiv

Multiple explosions were heard in Kharkiv on Friday. Residents are asked to go to the nearest shelter, reports The Kyiv Independent.