India To Evacuate Stranded Nationals In Ukraine Via Romania & Hungary, Embassy Issues New Advisory

The Indian Embassy in Hungary informed that the government is working to establish evacuation routes for stranded nationals in Ukraine from Romania & Hungary.

New Delhi: The Indian Embassy in Hungary on Friday informed that the government is working to establish evacuation routes for stranded nationals in Ukraine via Romania and Hungary.

"At present, teams are getting in place at CHOP-ZAHONY Hungarian border near Uzhhorod, PORUBNE-SIRET Romanian Border near Chernivtsi," it stated.

The Indian Embassy in Hungary has advised Indian nationals, especially students living closest to the mentioned border checkpoints, to depart in an organised manner in coordination with the team from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to actualise this evacuation option.

It mentioned that teams are getting in place at "CHOP-ZAHONY Hungarian border near Uzhhorod, PORUBNE-SIRET Romanian Border near Chernivtsi".

"Once above roots are operational, Indian Nationals travelling by their own arrangements for transport would be advised to proceed to above border check points, and remaining in touch with the Helpline Numbers setup at respective check-points for facilitation through the border," the statement read.

The Indian Embassy asked students to remain in touch with student contractors for orderly movement. It has also asked them to carry their passports and cash preferably in USD "for any emergency expenses and other essentials."

Students have to carry a COVID-19 vaccination certificate if available and are advised to paste a printout of the Indian Flag "prominently" on vehicles and buses while travelling.

This comes as several states have written to the Union government urging its prompt action in bringing back stranded Indians in conflict-ridden Ukraine.

Indian Students Stranded In Ukraine

Earlier, news agency PTI reported that nearly 400 Indian students in Ukraine's Sumy city bordering Russia have taken shelter in a basement after Russian forces took control of it.

They have appealed to the government of India to evacuate them.

Sumy, in northeastern Ukraine, is about 50 miles from the Russian border. The city mayor surrendered to Russian forces on Thursday.

The students said that they fear for their safety as gunshots can be heard outside.

"Right now, we are hiding in the basement of our dormitory. We do not know if this basement is enough for us to survive. We urge the Indian government to try to evacuate us from the eastern side of Ukraine," Lalit Kumar, one of the students, told PTI.

"Travelling on our own is not possible. Martial law has been imposed here and that means no outing, no cars, no buses and no private vehicle can travel. ATMs and supermarkets are also not working," he said.

A student hailing from Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur said, "Due to blasts near the airport, all flights from Ukraine have been cancelled. Food supplies are available but our stock is getting over. We're allowed to go outside but prefer not to", news agency ANI reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in Ukraine on Wednesday night, leading to multiple attacks on several areas in central and eastern Ukraine.

At a media briefing on Thursday, India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla assured all Indian citizens, including students, in Ukraine and their family members that the government will take all possible steps to bring them back safe and sound.

He said there were around 20,000 Indians in Ukraine and of them, nearly 4,000 have returned to India in the last few days.

(With Agency Inputs)