On Saturday, the Embassy of India in Ukraine warned its stranded people in Ukraine to exercise extreme caution at all times and to avoid approaching any border crossings without first consulting with the country’s officials. In light of increased Russian attacks on many Ukrainian cities and reports of severe fighting near the capital Kyiv, the Indian embassy in Ukraine issued a new advisory.
Citizens must travel only after coordinating with Embassy
Those in the eastern portion of Ukraine in particular were encouraged to stay put and stay indoors or in shelters as much as possible, according to the embassy. “All Indian citizens in Ukraine are urged not to travel to any border posts without first coordinating with Indian government officials at the border posts (helpline numbers established) and the Embassy of India in Kyiv’s emergency numbers,” the embassy warned.
The situation at various border checkpoints is delicate, and the diplomats are working closely with Indian counterparts in adjacent countries to facilitate citizen evacuations. “India is finding it increasingly difficult to assist Indian nationals who arrive at border checkpoints without prior notification,” the advice stated.
Despite the tough ground situation, India managed to set up camp offices in the western Ukrainian towns of Lviv and Chernivtsi on Friday to aid the transit of Indians to Hungary, Romania, and Poland. India has also dispatched teams of officials to Hungary’s Zahony border post, Poland’s Krakowiec and Shehyni-Medyka land border crossings, Slovakia’s Vysne Nemecke, and Romania’s Suceava transit point to organize the withdrawal of Indian nationals from Ukraine.