India to evacuate families of embassy officials from Ukraine

India recommended its citizens, particularly students and those whose presence is not required, to leave Ukraine on Sunday, even as it chose to expel the families of diplomatic personnel amid rising uncertainty and fears of a Russian invasion.

Indian nationals should take available commercial or charter aircraft for an "orderly and timely departure," according to a warning issued by the Indian embassy in Kyiv. This was the embassy's second alert since February 15, and it came in the wake of an uptick in violence in eastern Ukraine. According to sources acquainted with the situation, the families of Indian embassy staff have been advised to return to India. The personnel will remain in position, and the embassy will continue to operate, despite the fact that the situation is being closely monitored, according to the sources.

According to the embassy's statement, “In view of the continued high levels of tensions and uncertainties with respect to the situation in Ukraine, all Indian nationals whose stay is not deemed essential and all Indian students are advised to leave Ukraine temporarily.”

“Available commercial flights and charter flights may be availed for travel, for orderly and timely departure,” it further said.

For updates on charter flights, Indian students were asked to contact their student contractors and continue to monitor the Indian embassy's website, Facebook page, and Twitter account.

Due to increased demand from the Indian community and students in Ukraine as a result of the country's uncertainty, the Indian side also stated on Friday that Air India will run three flights on the Kyiv-Delhi route on February 22, 24, and 26.

India has stated that maintaining the safety and well-being of more than 20,000 Indians in Ukraine, including professionals, businesses, and 18,000 students, is one of its top objectives. To assist Indian nationals, control centers have been set up at the embassy in Kyiv and the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

President Joe Biden will convene with his National Security Council on Sunday to review the new developments, as the US has warned that Russian forces massed on Ukraine's border may strike at any time.

Ukrainian military forces have reported an increase in heavy weapon firing by pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine in recent days. On Saturday, Ukraine's defense ministry reported 70 ceasefire violations in the region, with two Ukrainian servicemen killed and four more injured, according to the ministry.

On Saturday, journalists accompanying Ukraine's interior minister Denys Monastyrskiy on a tour of eastern Ukraine were hit by mortar fire, although no one was hurt. Fears of violence have been sparked by the latest shelling.

Russia is plotting "the biggest war in Europe since 1945," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the BBC on Sunday. The West is continuing diplomatic attempts to prevent a Russian invasion, and French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed on the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to the problem during a phone discussion on Sunday.

According to Macron's office, the foreign ministries of France and Russia will meet in the coming days to discuss a possible high-level meeting with Russia, Ukraine, and allies to construct a new security order in Europe.

Because of the tight strategic connections between New Delhi and Moscow, India has so far refrained from criticizing Russia's actions on the Ukrainian border. It has been stated that the only way to address the situation in Ukraine is through diplomatic discussion that results in an urgent de-escalation of hostilities while safeguarding "legitimate security interests of all countries."

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