Indian chess player Anwesh Upadhyaya stuck in Ukraine, says situation scary

lone in his apartment and every bit scared, former Indian national rapid chess champion Anwesh Upadhyaya is one among the several of his compatriots stuck in Ukraine amid a Russian invasion and is desperately hoping to be evacuated from the country which has been his home since 2012.

The 30-year old, who is doing apprenticeship in gastroenterology at a Kyiv hospital, had planned to return to India in March. But with Russia launching military operations on Thursday, flights have been suspended and he is unsure of what is in store.

"Did not expect this intensification. It is a full-scale military invasion. Never imagined this," the 2017 national rapid chess champion told PTI from Kyiv.

"I was present during the Maidan Revolution which was bad but not this scary," Upadhyaya said, describing the current



situation.

"My parents over in India are a worried lot and that's why I had planned to leave in the first week of March," he added about his family which is based in Bhubaneswar.

"They have been calling me constantly, as have some of my school teachers. I am here in my apartment alone. And I don't know what is in store. The attack happened all of a sudden. So, couldn't have done anything."

Upadhyaya said he had tried to leave Ukraine earlier but could not get flight tickets, adding that he obtained permission from his bosses to leave once the tensions escalated and it became clear that a confrontation was on the cards.

He said he was now awaiting instructions from the Indian Embassy in Ukraine.

"Yes, I am hoping for this madness to end and awaiting instructions from our embassy.