Jayant Patil writes to Prime Minister requesting assistance for Indian students in Ukraine

On Sunday, Maharashtra Water Resources Minister and State NCP Chief Jayant Patil urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assist Indians in Ukraine, particularly Indian students, as the country risks war with Russia. "For the past 15 days, the situation on the Russia-Ukraine border has been growing. In Ukraine, there are approximately 18k Indians waiting for assistance, the majority of whom are students. I respectfully beg that Prime Minister @narendramodi safeguard the safety of students and evacuate them as soon as feasible. They are the future of our country "Jayant Patil declared in a tweet.

 

Patil's request to the PM comes after Air India stated on Friday that it will run three flights between India and Ukraine from Ukraine's Boryspil International Airport on February 22, February 24, and February 26 to repatriate trapped Indians. In light of sustained high levels of tensions and uncertainty about a possible invasion by Russian forces, India recommended its citizens, particularly students and anyone whose stay is not required, to leave Ukraine on Sunday. 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.

 

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 caution since February 15, and it came in response to an uptick in violence in eastern Ukraine.