Central govt will ensure safety of over 18,000 Indians stranded in Ukraine

Thrissur: In the wake of the Russian offensive against Ukraine, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said on Thursday that India is making alternative arrangements for the safe evacuation of Indians stranded in the Eastern European nation as its airspace was closed.

Amid concerns expressed by the near and dear ones of the people stranded in Ukraine, Muraleedharan said the Central government will ensure the safety of over 18,000 Indians including students stranded there and asked them to follow the instructions of the Indian Embassy in Kiev.

He further urged students and parents not to panic as the Central government will be able to ensure the safety of Indians.

“No need to panic…The Central Government is with you…An alternative plan is being prepared to repatriate Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine. We are looking for other ways as the airspace of that country has been closed,” the Minister told reporters here. He said the details of the mission will be made available soon.

He said: “I spoke to Malayali students in Ukraine on phone. Indian



students in the southern areas of Ukraine have told us that they are getting food, water and power. Students and parents should not panic. Our government has brought back Indians even from places like Iraq. The central government will be able to ensure the safety of Indians, there is no doubt about that. The control room has been expanded, more telephone numbers have been given.”

“At the time when there was a war threat itself, we tried to put more flights in service and bring back those willing to come back. But since the air space in Ukraine has been closed, we have stopped the measures to bring back Indians via flights. We are planning alternative measures to bring back Indians. Ministry of External Affairs has decided to send more diplomats to this area to help the Indian embassy,” he further added.

Concerned about the safety of thousands of Malayalis, especially students, trapped in Ukraine amidst the Russian military offensive against that country, the State of Kerala has also urged the Centre to protect them and make necessary arrangements for their return.