New Delhi: Indian Embassy in Ukraine has issued latest advisory for Indian nationals and students stranded in the war-torn country, asking them to look for nearest bomb shelters wherever they are in Ukraine.
This is the third advisory issued by India in Ukraine since morning after Russia launched an all-out war on the country, initiating military operations and air attacks.
Missiles and bombs rained from the sky, tanks rolled across the border, troops parachuted down on eastern Ukrainian regions and explosions were seen across the country.
In the latest advisory, Indian Embassy has asked citizens and students to look list of bomb shelters on Google Maps, many of which are located in underground metros.
"We are aware that certain places are hearing air sirens/bomb warnings. In case you are faced with such a situation, google map has a list of nearby bomb shelters, many of which are located in underground metros," the advisory read.
It also stated that the Mission is in touch with Indian nationals and students who are stranded without a place of stay in Kyiv to put them up.
The advisory further pointed out that the Embassy is identifying a possible solution to the situation and urged people to be aware of their surroundings, be safe and not to leave their homes, unless necessary.
It also advised people to carry their documents all the time.
2nd Advisory By Indian Embassy In Ukraine
Earlier in the day, India asked its citizens stranded in Ukraine to reach out to the embassy for evacuation and also has issued helpline numbers.
In an advisory to all the Indian nationals in Ukraine, the embassy said: "This is to inform all Indian nationals in Ukraine that since the Ukrainian airspace has been closed the schedule for special flights stands cancelled."
"Please carry your passports and necessary documents on your person at all times. You are advised to follow Embassy website and social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) posts for updates on this regard," the second advisory read.
The Embassy issued helpline numbers which are +38 0997300483, +38 0997300428, +38 0933980327, +38 0635917881 and +38 0935046170.
1st Advisory By Indian Embassy In Ukraine
In its first advisory, the Embassy said that the present situation in Ukraine is highly uncertain and asked citizens to maintain calm and remain safe wherever they are.
It also asked Indian citizens and students travelling to Kyiv, including those from western part of Kyiv, to return to their respective cities temporarily.
Over 20,000 Indian citizens are in Ukraine as the crisis with Russia escalated rapidly over the past week.
Indian government's immediate priority is to evacuate these people but the closure of Ukrainian airspace makes this a challenging proposition.
While speaking to reporters, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said that flights were flown to Ukraine but after 3 hours when things started escalating those flights came back. Whenever the air-space will open, we will fly the flights again.