What is India doing to evacuate Indians in Ukraine?

Indians in Ukraine | Ground Report | New Delhi: Amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Indian Embassy in Kyiv issued an advisory to its citizens especially students whose stay is not essential, may consider leaving temporarily and also advised to avoid non essential travel to and within the country.

It also stated that the Embassy continues to function normally to provide all services to Indian nationals in Ukraine and requested Indian citizens to keep the Embassy informed about the status of their presence in Ukraine to enable the Embassy to reach them where required.

How Many Indians in Ukraine?

According to the estimates by Indian Embassy in Kyiv from 2020 there are about 18,000 Indian students in Ukraine, but Indian envoy at the UN last month put that number to 20,000.Ukraine with its high quality medical colleges has been a destination for majority of medical aspirants from India.

What India doing to Evacuate them?

• Indian Embassy in Kyiv is working to gather details of all the Indian nationals and had asked Indians to register themselves with the Indian Embassy website, through Google form circulated a couple of weeks ago.  
• India's embassy in Ukraine, in a tweet, said it is aware of reports of people not getting flights; however, it asked Indians living in Ukraine not to panic as more flights are being planned.
• The embassy did not specify by when exactly the additional flights would be operational. It said details would be shared by the embassy "as and when confirmed".
• At present, Ukrainian International Airlines, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, Qatar Airways etc are operating flights,"
• "More flights are being planned in the near future", including from Air India and Ukrainian International Airlines.
• Both Indian and Ukrainian carriers are operating flights under temporary arrangements , though some airlines such as KLM have cancelled flights to Ukraine since last week.
• Ukrainian Ambassador to India , Igor Polikha said the  situation in Ukraine is difficult but not so critical, and there is no immediate reason for mass evacuation .
• Yet  many Indian students in Ukraine stated the situation seemed a bit normal but urged the govt of quick evacuation in case of Emergency.

Current Situation in Ukraine

The move comes amid concerns that Russia might invade Ukraine. Although Moscow denies having any plans of invasion, it has massed over 130,000 troops near the Ukrainian border. The US has warned Russia of severe consequences if there is an invasion.

However, signs of ease were seen when Russia moved some its military units away from the borders, though the impact of movement remained unclear but Russian President Vladimir Putin dwell on the Russian’s demands  be heard and it does not seek war.

Why Russia wants to Invade Ukraine?

As we know Russia and Ukraine were members of the erstwhile Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). After 1991 Ukraine became an independent country and Russia retained old capital Moscow, remains a super power. It wants to prevent Ukraine from being an ally of the West. Russia fears that if Ukraine joins the US- led NATO, as is planned; Russia will lose its influence over Ukraine. Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power.

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