Government is organizing evacuation flights for Indians in Ukraine. Sources said that the expenditure will be completely borne by Government for this evacuation.
Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs Camp Offices are now operational in Lviv and Chernivtsi towns in western Ukraine. Sources said that additional Russian speaking officials are being sent to these Camp Offices.
There, officials are assisting Indian citizens who reach these cities, and will facilitate their departure from Ukraine through adjoining border crossings. Sources added that the first batch of Indian students have now left Chernivtsi for the Ukraine and Romania border.
In view of the closure of the Ukrainian airspace, alternative arrangements are being made for the evacuation of Indian nationals. A team from the Indian Embassy in Hungary has been dispatched to the border post Zohanyi to coordinate and provide assistance to facilitate exit of Indians from Ukraine. In a tweet, the Mission said, it is working with Hungary government to provide all possible assistance. India is closely monitoring the situation and evacuation plans are being worked out.
External Affairs Ministry teams are also being sent to the land borders with Ukraine in Poland, Slovak Republic, and Romania. The team from Poland is on its way to Krakowiec land border with Ukraine. The team from Slovak Republic is on its way to Vysne Nemecke land border and the team from Romania is on its way to Suceava.
The Ministry has advised Indian nationals in Ukraine near these border points to contact these teams in case they wish to depart from Ukraine. The contact numbers are available on the website of the Ministry.
Around 20,000 Indians are stuck in Ukraine after Russia launched a military operation against its neighbour.
