India sends team from embassy in Hungary to help Indians stuck in Ukraine

With Ukraine closing its airspace after Russia launched a military offensive against it, the Indian embassy in Hungary said on Thursday it has sent a team to facilitate the exit of Indian citizens stuck in the crisis-hit nation.

Also Read | Nearly 20,000 Indian students still stranded in Ukraine as Kyiv closes airspace

“Team from Embassy of India in Hungary has been dispatched to the border post Zohanyi to coordinate and provide assistance to facilitate exit of Indians from Ukraine. Mission is working with with Govt of Hungary to provide all possible assistance,” it said on Twitter.

“The Government of India is closely monitoring the situation and evacuation plans are being worked out,” it further said.

Hungary and Ukraine have a nearly 137km long border along the Tisza river valley

Meanwhile, the embassy's announcement came after the closure by Ukraine of its airspace led to the cancellation of all scheduled evacuation fights between India and Kyiv, the Capital of the Eastern European nation. It also came after videos went viral showing Indian students camping outside the Indian embassy in Kyiv.

After several political leaders flagged the issue, the embassy acknowledged that a large number of Indian students turned up but not everyone could be taken inside.

Also Read | Russia-Ukraine crisis: What Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor, Owaisi say India should do

“Accordingly, the Embassy organized safe premises nearby and the students were moved there. This process took some time given the ground situation in Kyiv. No Indian national is currently stranded outside the Embassy. As fresh students arrive, they are being moved to the safe premises. Embassy is continuing to assist Indian nationals, including students, in Ukraine,” it clarified.

Also Read | Passengers returning from Ukraine can travel via Qatar, says Centre

Around 20,000 Indian students are still stranded in Ukraine, according to the ministry of external affairs.