Indian students are being moved to Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic – all nations which share border with Ukraine – before they are brought back to India under Operation Ganga.
India today urged all its citizens to leave Ukraine capital Kyiv “urgently today, by trains or any other means available”.
“All Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available,” says the latest advisory from the Indian Embassy in Ukraine.
Yesterday, the embassy had asked students to go to the railway station in Kyiv, where special evacuation trains have been arranged by Ukraine to take people to the western region.
“We sincerely request all Indian nationals/students to remain calm, peaceful and united. A large crowd can be expected at the railway stations, therefore, it is advised that all Indian students remain patient, composed and especially not to exhibit aggressive behaviour while at the railway station,” the advisory said.
The students were asked to carry their passport, sufficient cash, good and proper clothing.
The advisory asked students to expect train delays or cancellations, and long queues.
Thousands of Nigerians have been caught in the Russia-Ukraine war, with the federal government frantic to get them out of Ukraine.
It directed Nigerians fleeing Ukraine to head to Hungarian or Romanian borders for easy access.
“For now, movement to the Hungarian Zahony border and Romanian Suceava, Tulcea, Satu Mare County, and Maramures borders is advised, as they approved visa-free access to all Nigerians coming from Ukraine and arrangement for accommodation and feeding before evacuation is arranged,” said permanent secretary to the ministry of foreign affairs, Gabriel Aduda in a statement.
Nigerian embassies in Romania, Hungary, and Poland have received over 256 stranded Nigerians from Ukraine while awaiting the arrival of 200 more in the coming days, said Aduda.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine last week, with neighbouring Belarus effectively used as a staging post for the Russian military.