Air India’s Special Flight Leaves For Ukraine to Bring Back Indian Nationals

Air India's special ferry flight departed for Ukraine from Delhi this morning to bring back the stranded Indian nationals.

New Delhi: Air India, the country’s national carrier, which was scheduled to operate special flights to Ukraine this week to bring back Indian nationals began its mission on Tuesday morning. Air India is operating three special flights from Ukraine to Delhi – on February 22, 24 and 26.

Air India’s special ferry flight departed for Ukraine from Delhi this morning to bring back the stranded Indian nationals. The Dreamliner B-787 aircraft deployed for the special operation has a capacity of over 200 seats. The special flight from Ukraine will land in Delhi tonight.

India on Sunday asked the family members of its embassy staff in Ukraine to return home and advised its citizens whose stay is not essential to leave that country temporarily in view of the increasing tensions and uncertainties, official sources said.

“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,” the embassy said.

It said available commercial flights and charter flights may be availed for travel, for “orderly and timely departure” from Ukraine.

“Indian students are advised to also get in touch with respective student contractors for updates on charter flights, and also continue to follow Embassy Facebook, website and Twitter for any update,” the embassy said.

Meanwhile, India voiced “deep concern” over the escalation of tension along the Russia-Ukraine border at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) emergency meeting held on Tuesday. India told the UNSC that the immediate priority is de-escalation of tensions, taking into account the “legitimate” security interests of all countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed decrees to recognise Ukraine’s regions of Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics as independent , escalating the tension in the region and increasing fears of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Putin has also ordered troops into eastern Ukraine in what the Kremlin called a “peacekeeping” mission.

Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday night, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said, We have been closely following the evolving developments relating to Ukraine, including developments along the eastern border of Ukraine and the related announcement by the Russian Federation.

“The escalation of tension along the border of Ukraine with the Russian Federation is a matter of deep concern. These developments have the potential to undermine peace and security of the region, he said at an emergency UNSC meeting held at the request of Ukraine.

(With PTI inputs)