New Delhi: A large number of Indian students turned up outside the Indian Embassy in Ukraine's Kyiv today, hours after Russian Special Forces started hostilities against the nation that once a republic of the Soviet Union. Though all could not be accommodated inside the Embassy premises, the officials have organised safe lodgings for them nearby and the students were moved there, sources said.
Currently, no Indian national is stranded outside the Embassy. As fresh students arrive, they are being moved to the safe premises, an official said, adding that the embassy is continuing to assist Indian nationals, including students.
Around 18,000 Indians -- many of them students -- are still in Kyiv and the government is exploring all options to bring them home. The task was made uphill today as Ukraine closed its airspace amid the Russian military operations.
This morning, an Air India flight to Ukraine had to turn back after receiving a NOTAM, or notice to airmen, which was sent to all flights heading for Ukraine.
Later, high-level meetings were held at the Ministry of External Affairs to work out contingency plans and find alternate evacuation routes, said sources.
This morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a "special military operation" after weeks of escalated tension between Russia and its neighbor over its proximity to NATO.
Russian tanks and other heavy equipment crossed into several northern regions, separatist controlled areas in the east which Russia has formally recognised as independent nations and the Kremlin-annexed peninsula of Crimea in the south.
Though the day, messages continued to pour in from panic stricken students, many of whom reported smoke and explosions in the neighbourhood. "The situation here is very bad. Please get us out of here as soon as possible. Three bombs exploded right next to our hostel," said two students from Uttar Pradesh, who are stuck in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting key ministers at his home to discuss the crisis and ways to mitigate the impact of rising crude oil prices.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have already reached his residence. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other officials will also attend the meeting.