Russia-Ukraine disaster: Air raid sirens have been heard in cities throughout Ukraine immediately (AFP)
New Delhi:
As Russia invaded Ukraine, the Indian Embassy at 5 pm issued its third advisory since this morning on tips for Indians. “We are aware that certain places are hearing air sirens/bomb warnings. In case you are faced with such a situation, google maps has a list of nearby bomb shelters, many of which are located in underground metros,” the embassy mentioned. For these in Kyiv, the official hyperlink from Kyiv city administration is here, the embassy mentioned.
There are roughly 18,000 Indians in Ukraine, a lot of them college students. An Air India flight despatched for evacuation took off  at 7:30 am however needed to return after Ukraine closed its airspace for business flights.
“Since the air space in Ukraine has been closed, we have stopped the measures to bring back Indians via flights. We are planning alternative measures to bring back Indians. Ministry of External Affairs has decided to send more diplomats to this area to help the Indian embassy,” mentioned V Muraleedharan, the junior Foreign Minister.
“I spoke to Malayali students in Ukraine on phone. Indian students in the southern areas of Ukraine have told us that they are getting food, water and power. Students and parents should not panic. Our government has brought back Indians even from places like Iraq. The central government will be able to ensure the safety of Indians, there is no doubt about that. The control room has been expanded, more telephone numbers have been given,” he mentioned.
Third Advisory to all Indian Nationals/Students in Ukraine.@MEAIndia@PIB_India@PIBHindi@DDNewslive@DDNewsHindi@DDNational@PMOIndiapic.twitter.com/naRTQQKVyS
— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) February 24, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin in an early televised handle to his nation introduced this morning that Russia would launch army operations in opposition to Ukraine. Since then, Moscow says it has destroyed Ukrainian army air bases and air defence programs. Missiles have focused main Ukrainian cities together with the capital, Kyiv. Russia’s floor forces crossed into Ukraine from a number of instructions and explosions have been seen in cities alongside the coast.
Earlier immediately, the Indian embassy requested individuals to show away in the event that they have been heading to Kyiv and return to the cities they live in.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is assembly this night with the Finance Minister, Defence Minister and different senior colleagues to evaluate the fallout of the Ukraine disaster. Sources mentioned the assembly will prioritise evacuation technique for the Indians stranded in Ukraine. On social media, pictures confirmed college students gathered exterior the embassy with their suitcases in tow.
Ukraine says it has killed “around 50 Russian occupiers” whereas repulsing an assault on a city on the frontline with Moscow-backed rebels.
President Putin claims the invasion is to defend separatists within the east of the nation in opposition to “genocide”.