Over 200 Stranded Indian Students Put Up in School Near Embassy in Kyiv

The embassy wrote a letter to the Ukraine govt for the security of 15,000 Indian students stranded in the country.

About 20,000 Indian nationals, including students, are stuck in several parts of Ukraine.

(Photo: PTI/AP/Emilio Morenatti)

The Embassy of India in Ukraine accommodated more than 200 Indian students at a school near the embassy in Kyiv on Thursday, 24 February, after Ukraine shut its airspace cancelling all civilian flights.

The Indian Ambassador to the Ukraine, Partha Satpathy, also interacted with the students and assured them that all accommodations are being made.

The Embassy of India in Kyiv also wrote a letter to the Government of Ukraine for the safety and security of 15,000 Indian students stranded in various regions in the country.

The letter stated,

"The Embassy of India would be grateful if their safety and security be ensured and they will be allowed to remain wherever they are. Arrangements for essential amenities like food and water for their survival may be provided to them."

Earlier on Thursday, a large number of Indian students turned up outside the Indian Embassy in Kyiv.

Sources told news agency ANI that not everyone could be accommodated in the embassy premises. “The Embassy organised safe premises nearby, students moved there. No Indian is currently stranded outside the Embassy,” as per the sources quoted by ANI.

They added,

“This process took some time given the ground situation in Kyiv. As fresh students arrive, they are being moved to the safe premises. The Embassy is continuing to assist Indian nationals, including students, in Ukraine.”

Earlier in the day, Satpathy also said:

"The embassy of India in Kyiv continues to operate round the clock looking out for the safety of all the Indians... If someone is stranded in Kyiv then reach out to friends, families, Indian community members, and the Indian Embassy."

"As airspace has been blocked, roads choked and trains services disrupted I advise all Indian citizens to stay wherever they are in their normal area of habitation, and those in transit should go back to normal areas," he added.

"Working out modalities on how we can evacuate Indian citizens from the country through neighboring nations along the western border of Ukraine. Times are uncertain& it's important to be calm. We'll continue to operate here till every Indian is back."

Late on Thursday night, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla addressed the media and said that one important step that the government had taken was to pursue all universities in Ukraine to conduct online classes. "PM Modi has specifically stated that the MEA should do everything possible for our citizens in Ukraine," he said.

"Our Embassy in Ukraine continues to be functional. A number of advisories have been issued by embassies on the situation as it evolves. We're consulting universities, student contractors in the process of providing welfare and safety of our students," he added.

Background

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a "special military operation" in Ukraine on Thursday with explosions, missile attacks, and air strikes being reported from across Ukraine.

With thousands of Indian nationals stranded in war-struck Ukraine, the Centre said on Thursday that Indians can return via Qatar since Ukraine has shut its airspace for all civilian flights.

About 20,000 Indian nationals, including students, are stuck in several parts of Ukraine.

(With inputs from ANI.)