The government said on Wednesday that fifteen flights are scheduled in the next 24 hours to bring back Indians from countries neighbouring Ukraine, which is facing a conflict situation, and that some of these flights are en route their destinations.
Briefing the media here on the government’s evacuation efforts, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that Indian Air Force aircraft has joined Operation Ganga.
Important Takeaways from MEA briefing on Ukraine situation on Wednesday:
- About 15 flights scheduled in the next 24 hours to safely evacuate Indian nationals and students from war-torn Ukraine.
- A total of 3352 students and nationals brought back under Operation Ganga so far.
- As many as 17,000 Indians have left Ukraine since advisories were issued at the end of January.
- Indian Embassy in Ukraine and MEA issued three advisories in a span of last one hour, urging all Indians to leave immediately from Kharkiv through any means, including on foot.
- Advisories specify three locations about 15 kms away from Kharkiv to reach safe zones.
- Advisories issued on basis of inputs received from the Russian side.
- Indian Air Force has joined Operation Ganga.
- First C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft of IAF scheduled to land at Delhi from Bucharest later tonight with Indian students and nationals on board.
- MEA control room has so far attended to 9874 calls and about 77.
- Second Indian student Chandan Jindal died of natural causes in Ukraine.
- Efforts being made to figure out how mortal remains of Indian medical student Naveen SG of Karnataka who died in Russian shelling in Kharkiv can be brought home.
- Emergency certificates being issued to Indian students/nationals who have lost their passports.