Air India flight with 241 passengers from Ukraine reaches Delhi

At around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, an Air India flight carrying 241 people from Ukraine arrived at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. During the increasing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, the airline used a Boeing 787 to transport Indian nationals back to India.

Officials told that the flight AI 1946 took off from Kyiv's Boryspil International Airport at 6 p.m.

After arrival at the airport, an Indian student seeking a medical degree in Ukraine told, "Feeling relieved."

Earlier, Air India flight AI 1947 departed Delhi at 7.30 a.m. and arrived at Boryspil International Airport around 3 p.m. IST (Indian Standard Time). According to a civil aviation ministry official, depending on demand, certain other Indian airlines may conduct flights to Ukraine.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been rising in recent weeks, and Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the independence of two separatist territories in eastern Ukraine on Monday.

The Indian embassy in Kyiv asked Indian students to leave the country temporarily again on Tuesday, citing growing tensions. Thousands of Indians are awaiting flights home from Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin has recognized two breakaway regions as independent nations.

On Tuesday, Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan stated that the company has no plans to fly to Ukraine. "We are not planning flights to Ukraine at this moment due to aircraft limits and other factors," he told.

On February 19, Air India stated that three flights would be operated between India and Ukraine on February 22, 24, and 26.

Due to increased demand, India's civil aviation ministry requested Indian airlines to investigate the potential of flying flights to Ukraine on February 17.

When the COVID-19 lockdown was in full effect, Air India, which was recently owned by the Tata group, flew several "Vande Bharat" trips to return Indians.

Other Indian airlines, according to a Civil Aviation Ministry official, are likely to offer flights to Ukraine depending on demand.

India has asked its citizens in Ukraine, including students, to return if their stay in the east European country is "not deemed essential." Indian citizens should hunt for any available commercial or charter flight to get out of the country, according to the Indian embassy in Ukraine, amid fears of a Russian invasion.

Indians in Ukraine can also call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or MEA, which has set up a dedicated control room, for information and support. Earlier this week, there were instances of people not being able to get aircraft tickets. A 24-hour helpline is available at India's embassy in Ukraine.

Ukraine's position remains extremely hazardous. Despite a strong worldwide outcry, Russian lawmakers today voted President Vladimir Putin the green light to deploy soldiers overseas, opening the path for the Russian leader to send troops into Ukraine.

The Federation Council's overwhelming vote permits Mr. Putin to deploy "peacekeepers" to two separatist Ukrainian regions currently recognized as autonomous by Moscow, as well as perhaps other parts of Ukraine.

Also read: Today is the 1st of three flights between India and Ukraine