Russia-Ukraine crisis: Why 1700 Indian Students Left Kharkiv Towards Russia. Know Why

Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagoudar, a 21-year-old Indian student trapped in the midst of a war in Ukraine, has died on Tuesday. Naveen was a resident of Haveri district of Karnataka.

Shelling of Russian invaders affected the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building (getty photo)

New Delhi: Amid the concerns increased over the safety of Indian students trapped in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, families of students trapped in conflict-ridden country Ukraine have become frightened after receiving information about the death of a student from Karnataka in Kharkiv (Ukraine) on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Indian students Trishul Gupta and Jayant Pratap Gupta, trapped in the conflict zone of Ukraine, are working hard for their safe return.

On Tuesday, both the Indian students trapped in Kharkiv told in a conversation with relatives that they have to reach the Romania border to get a safe place. After reaching Uzhhorod from Kharkiv in Ukraine, they will find a way to the Poland and Romania border, but for that, they will have to travel a long distance of 1500 km.

Students will have to pass through Kharkiv, Kyiv and Lviv, the main centers of the war. Along with Trishul and Jayant, Akshay Mishra and Pranav of Ranchi have also left for India. 

Amit and Suman, two more students from Naveen's village, also studied in Kharkiv. All three are residents of the same village in Haveri district. They are reportedly walked a distance of about 40 kilometers without eating and drinking. Amit and Suman told their family last night that they had spent their night in a school after covering a distance of 20 km. They have no food and drink left.

About 1700 students, including medical students Amit and Suman, have left on foot in the direction of Russia after the Indian Embassy directed the Indians to leave Kharkiv immediately.

“We were sleeping at the time since we were up till 3.30-4 am,” Amit Vaishanavar told HT over the phone from Kharkiv. “We didn’t even know when he left.”

“We didn’t understand the language, so we ran to a lady in our building who is a local,” Vaishanavar said. “She started crying but could not explain to us what happened. That’s when a person who spoke some English told us that our friend was dead.”

“We are from middle-class families and cannot afford to pay ₹1.5-2 crore donations to medical colleges there (in India). So we managed funds and came here,” said Suman Vaishanavar.

Most of the students coming out of Ukraine are going towards the border of Poland and Romania and from there the Indian government is evacuating them under 'Operation Ganga'.

About 1700 students are marching towards the Russian border carrying the tricolor. These students have left their belongings on the streets.