Now the question arises that how Indian students are finally trapped in Ukraine? Did the Government of India delay in taking the decision to expel him or was the right advisory not issued for him? The answers to all these questions will be found in this special report…
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine continue to intensify. Apart from the capital Kyiv and Kharkiv, many cities have been surrounded by the Russian army. The situation is such that many Indian students are also trapped here, for whom the Government of India is constantly trying to get out. In this regard, talks are being held with Russia and Ukraine continuously. Now the question arises that how Indian students are finally trapped in Ukraine? Did the Government of India delay in taking the decision to expel him or was the right advisory not issued for him? In this special report, what steps were taken by the Indian government before Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Also, do you know how Indian students got stuck in different cities of Ukraine despite this?
Significantly, on behalf of the Government of India, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv issued the first advisory on 15 February. It was clearly stated that in view of the current situation in Ukraine, Indian residents living here, especially students, whose stay is not mandatory, should return to India. Apart from this, Indian citizens were advised not to make unnecessary trips to Ukraine. Simultaneously, Indian citizens were also asked to inform the Indian Embassy in Ukraine about their current situation.
Let us tell you that at present, only half of the academic session in Ukrainian universities has passed. In such a situation, the students studying in universities which were not ready for online classes were forced to stay. It is worth noting that during 2015, while issuing the advisory for Yemen, the central government had advised all Indians to leave the country, but it was not done in the case of Ukraine.
After issuing the advisory on 15 February, the Indian embassy answered some questions from the students present in Ukraine the next day. In this, the question was asked about not getting seats in the first point flights, in which information was given to increase the number of flights.
On 18 February, Air India announced to run three flights between India-Ukraine to rescue Indian students stranded in Ukraine. The airline said that three separate flights will operate on February 22, February 24 and February 26.
Let us tell you that till then only one direct flight was running between India-Ukraine and that too was not operated daily. However, even in all the three new flights, the seats were filled very fast and the students started pleading for help from the Government of India. At the same time, some students also informed about the flight being very expensive.
The Indian Embassy in Kyiv issued a second advisory on 20 February. In this, Indian citizens present in Ukraine who are not required to stay in Ukraine and all students can leave on commercial or charter flights. The important thing was that all the students were mentioned in this advisory.
Three more flights were announced on February 21, the next day after the second advisory was issued by the Indian Embassy. These flights were informed to run on 25 February and 27 February.
On February 22, another advisory was issued by the Indian Embassy. It explicitly asked students to leave Ukraine instead of verifying online classes from universities. In this, the students were advised to leave Ukraine temporarily for their own safety.
On 22 February, the first Air India flight from Kyiv reached Delhi carrying 242 Indians. After this, five more flights were to go to Kyiv. At the same time, it was also announced to increase their number, but on 24 February, Russia started bombing Ukraine, due to which Ukraine’s airspace was closed and the second Air India flight was returned midway.
Expansion
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine continue to intensify. Apart from the capital Kyiv and Kharkiv, many cities have been surrounded by the Russian army. The situation is such that many Indian students are also trapped here, for whom the Government of India is constantly trying to get out. In this regard, talks are being held with Russia and Ukraine continuously. Now the question arises that how Indian students are finally trapped in Ukraine? Did the Government of India delay in taking the decision to expel him or was the right advisory not issued for him? In this special report, what steps were taken by the Indian government before Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Also, do you know how Indian students got stuck in different cities of Ukraine despite this?