Indian Students ‘Can’t Afford Tickets’ To Leave Ukraine

New Delhi: It was on Tuesday India advised its citizens in Ukraine to temporarily leave the country. Indian students studying in the country spoke about the challenges they are faced with.

The appeals to Indian citizens were made amid escalating tension over Russia’s increasing military build-up at the Ukraine border.

“The situation is really tense. Some students have already booked their flights but the flights are cancelled,” a student in Ukraine, Harsh Goyal, was quoted as saying by NDTV.

“The Indian government has asked students to leave but prices are really high. Some students here can’t afford it. How would the government ensure their safety?” Goyal further said.

“We are continuously in touch with the embassy through emails and calls. They have said you all are safe here. If something is going to happen, they will evacuate us,” he added.

Another student Ashish Giri rued that tickets are not available. “Our family is very worried… There are no available tickets till February 20. Most of the tickets are booked and the ones available, are so expensive, we can’t afford (them),” Giri told NDTV.

The Indian embassy in the capital Kyiv advised Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine via an advisory on Tuesday.

“In view of the uncertainties of the current situation in Ukraine, Indian nationals in Ukraine, particularly students whose stay is not essential, may consider leaving temporarily,” the advisory said.

“Indian nationals are also advised to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine,” the embassy added.

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