The Russian Defence Ministry claimed late on Wednesday night that Ukrainian authorities were “forcibly” keeping a large group of Indian students in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine hostage and that Russian armed forces were ready to take all necessary measures for the safe evacuation of the Indian citizens and send them home from Russian territory with Indian or Russian aircraft. The Russian embassy in New Delhi tweeted that the Indians were being used as human shields by the Ukrainians. In reply, the Ukraine Foreign Affairs Ministry urgently called on the governments “of India, Pakistan, China & other counties whose students have become hostages of Russian armed aggression in Kharkiv & Sumy, to demand from Moscow that it allows opening of a humanitarian corridor to other Ukrainian cities”.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv issued an “urgent advisory” for Indians stranded in Kharkiv, asking them to leave Kharkiv immediately and to proceed to nearby settlements at Pesochyn, Babai and Bezlyudivka by 1800 hrs (Ukrainian time) on foot if they were unable to find vehicles for commuting to specified locations. India’s evacuation efforts
are taking place from the western borders of Ukraine, while the cities of Kharkiv and Sumy are on the other side of the country, near Ukraine’s eastern border with Russia. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said, “The advisory that has been just issued by our Embassy a little while ago and also by us on the need for our nationals to leave Kharkiv immediately is on the basis of information received from Russia. We would urge all our nationals to leave Kharkiv immediately to the safe zones or further westwards using any means available including on foot, keeping safety in mind.” Later in the night reports started coming in social media that several Indian students had started arriving at Pesochyn and other places.
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine on Wednesday had suggested Indian nationals based in western Ukraine, including Lviv and Ternopil, to travel to Budomierz border checkpoint so that their relatively easy entry into Poland can be initiated. The advisory issued by the Indian embassy also asked Indian nationals to avoid the Shehyni-Medyka border crossing which remained disturbed for a third day amid an influx of refugees.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday said that nearly 17,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine’s border since the first travel advisory was issued by the Indian Embassy in Kyiv and as many as 15 flights were scheduled over the next 24 hours. Speaking at the special briefing on Operation Ganga, to bring back Indian citizens from Ukraine amid Russia’s military operation, MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “I am happy to inform that there has been a sharp increase in the number of Indians who have left Ukraine. We now estimate that nearly 17,000 Indian nationals left Ukraine’s border since our advisories were issued, this, of course, includes some Indians who have not registered with the embassy earlier.” Bagchi also said that flights under Op Ganga has increased sharply, saying “Flights under Operation Ganga have also increased sharply. During the last 24 hours, six flights have landed in India taking the total number of flights that have landed in India to 15 and the total numbers of Indians who returned including this flight to 3,352.” Highlighting the ongoing evacuation operations, he said, “I am also happy to share, as many as 15 flights are scheduled over next 24 hours, some of these are already en route,” adding, “the Indian Air Force aircraft has joined Op Ganga with the first C17 flight from Bucharest expected to return today in Delhi from Bucharest later tonight.”
“Indian Air Force aircraft have joined Operation Ganga with the first C-17 flight from Bucharest (Romania) expected to return to Delhi later tonight. 3 more IAF flights will be undertaken today from Budapest (Hungary), Bucharest (Romania) & Rzeszow (Poland),” Bagchi added. Giving insight into the present situation in Ukraine, he said that the cities in eastern Ukraine remain areas of concern for India due to continuing violence. However, he said that there are encouraging reports that some students were able to board trains out of Kharkiv yesterday night, today morning and “we assisted in this process through the student contractors and other partners,” Bagchi said. He also dealt with the western border of Ukraine, he said, “You would have seen the advisory put out today morning by our Embassy in Warsaw regarding the movement across Poland-Ukraine border, Indian nationals were advised to head to the Budimir’s border point for a relatively quicker entry into Poland avoiding the Shehyni-Medyka border crossing that continues to be congested. I am happy that it is working out quite well, more people are leaving through that. Those who do cross the border on their own can directly proceed to the reception point on Polish site, indicated in an advisory.” Bagchi also reiterated that India is also trying to make arrangements for shelter and food in towns near the borders. Moreover, he said that after the arrival of Indian officials at Lviv office, the evacuation process will be strengthened and the Indian embassy will be able to assist people crossing the borders.
A report from Bucharest, Romania, said Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia met Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca in Romania on Wednesday and thanked the latter for facilitating the safe evacuation of Indian citizens amid heightened tensions in Ukraine. Taking to Twitter, Scindia said, “Met the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Romania, Mr Nicolae Ciuca to thank the government for facilitating entry and ensuring the safety of our citizens amid the grim situation at the Ukrainian borders.” Furthermore, the Union Minister said that the Ciuca has assured his continued support in the evacuation process. Both sides shared mutual interests in expanding bilateral trade. “I am happy to report that His Excellency has assured his continued support to our students crossing the Romanian borders, and reiterated the friendly relations between our countries since the last 74 years. We also shared mutual interest in expanding bilateral trade given the huge economic potential & presence of Indian businesses in Romania,” he tweeted.
Also on Wednesday, a 22-year-old student from Punjab’s Barnala who had suffered a stroke and was undergoing treatment for about a month died in Ukraine. Chandan Jindal was admitted at the Emergency Hospital Vinnytsia, official sources in Chandigarh said. His family has requested the government to bring back his mortal remains.
With inputs from Mayank Kumar