Fifth flight with Indian nationals from Ukraine lands in Delhi

The fifth flight carrying Indian nationals from Ukraine on Monday landed at the Delhi airport. The flight with 249 nationals originated from Bucharest in Romania, one of the European countries from where stranded Indian nationals are being flown back to the country.

News agency ANI reported that the passengers praised the Indian Embassy officials for their safe evacuation from Ukraine.

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“Government has helped us a lot. All possible support was provided by the Indian Embassy. The main problem is crossing the border. I hope all Indians are brought back. There are several more Indians still stranded in Ukraine,” a student who arrived to Delhi from Ukraine was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

In the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine has advised Indian nationals against moving to any of the border checkpoints without prior coordination with government officials at border posts.

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On Saturday, in an advisory to Indian nationals, the embassy stressed that the situation at various border checkpoints is sensitive and it is working continuously with Embassies in the neighbouring countries for coordinated evacuation of our citizens.

“All Indian Citizens in Ukraine are advised not to move to any of the border posts without prior coordination with Government of India officials at the border posts and the Emergency numbers of Embassy of India, Kyiv,” the advisory read.

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“The Embassy is finding it increasingly difficult to help the crossing of those Indian nationals who reach border checkpoints without prior intimation,” it added.

The Indian government has set up a dedicated Twitter handle to assist in the evacuation of Indians from Ukraine under Operation Ganga.

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The Twitter account lists helpline numbers in Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic – all nations which share borders with Ukraine.

Russia started military operations against Ukraine on Thursday morning after months of tension over the former Soviet republic’s proximity to NATO.