Staying in western cities safer: India advises citizens in Ukraine not to move to border posts

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Feb 26, 2022: The Indian embassy in Ukraine released a fresh statement on Saturday advising Indian nationals in war-hit Ukraine not to move to any border posts without prior coordination with Indian government officials.

 

Ukraine is currently under siege by Russian troops. Heavy fighting is being reported in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with dozens of explosions being heard every few minutes.

Amid the chaos, the Indian embassy in Ukraine released a statement saying, "All Indian citizens in Ukraine are advised to not move to any of the border posts without prior coordination with Government of India officials at the border posts [helpline numbers established] and the Emergency numbers of the Embassy of India, Kyiv."

The embassy, in its latest statement, said, "The situation at various border checkpoints is sensitive and the Embassy is working continuously with embassies in our neighbouring countries for coordinated evacuation of our citizens."

"[The] Embassy is finding it increasingly difficult to help the crossing of those Indian nationals who reach border checkpoints without prior intimation," it said.

The official statement also said that staying in western cities of Ukraine is relatively safer as compared to reaching border checkpoints.

"Staying in western cities of Ukraine with access of water, food, accommodation and basic amenities is relatively safer and advisable compared to reaching border checkpoints without being fully abreast of the situation," the statement read.

The embassy also requested those in the eastern sector to continue to remain in their current places of residence until further instructions.

Meanwhile, Air India is operating four flights to evacuate Indians stranded in Ukraine.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" for the "demilitarisation and denazification" of Ukraine. As the invasion entered its third day, Russian forces closed in on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, where heavy fighting was underway.