Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Air India's First Of Three Flights Leaves For Kyiv Amid Heightened Tension

On February 15, the Indian embassy in Kyiv had issued an advisory for Indian nationals staying in Ukraine to leave the country temporarily in light of the current situation.

Representational Image (Photo: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Amid heightened tension between Russia and Ukraine and the looming threat of invasion from Moscow, Air India will operate its first of the three flights to and from Kyiv to bring citizens back home. Air India on Friday tweeted, it will be operating three flights between India and Ukraine on February 22, 24, and 26. 

The announcement from Air India came after the Ministry of Civil Aviation removed the restrictions on the number of flights to and from Ukraine under the air bubble agreement on Thursday last week.

#FlyAI : Air India will operate 3 flights between India-Ukraine (Boryspil International Airport) India on 22nd, 24th & 26th FEB 2022

Booking open through Air India Booking offices, Website, Call Centre and Authorised Travel Agents.@IndiainUkraine

— Air India (@airindiain) February 18, 2022

Air India's Dreamliner B-787 will bring back Indian nationals from Ukraine tonight. It is deployed for the mission and has the capacity to accommodate more than 200 passengers at once. 

Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs also set up a control room to assist Indian nationals in Ukraine with the required information. The Indian Embassy in Ukraine has also set up a 24-hour helpline number to help the Indian nationals.

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Air India will operate 3 flights between India-Ukraine (Boryspil International Airport) on Feb 22, Feb 24 & Feb 26, 2022.

 

- Prasar Bharati News Services (@pbns_india) 22 Feb 2022

On February 15, the Indian embassy in Kyiv had issued an advisory for Indian nationals staying in Ukraine to leave the country temporarily in light of the current situation.

In its advisory, the Embassy had also requested the Indian nationals to inform them about their stay so they can reach them if needed. Though it had clarified that it continues to function normally as of now. 

Meanwhile, the situation in Ukraine remains tense as the US and NATO allies are convinced that the Russian President Vladimir Putin can attack Ukraine at “any given time.” However, Putin has been denying any such plans.