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Ukraine flights stopped, India activates alternative evacuation routes
The task of getting Indian nationals out of Ukraine is set to be challenging in view of the closure of the Kyiv airport shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military operation
NEW DELHI: India’s immediate priority following the launch of a Russian military operation against Ukraine on Thursday is the safety and evacuation of some 20,000 nationals, with authorities activating alternative evacuation routes following the closure of Ukrainian airspace.
The Indian embassy in Kyiv issued a fresh advisory that asked citizens to remain safe in view of the “highly uncertain” situation, and to avoid travel.
The task of getting out Indian nationals from Ukraine is set to be challenging in view of the closure of Kyiv airport and the Ukrainian airspace, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised the military operation in support of the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
A special Air India flight, which was to bring back around 250 Indians from Kyiv, was in the air when the Ukrainian airspace was closed. The flight turned around in Iranian airspace, and there was no word on the status of other Air India flights planned for February 25, 26 and 27.
People familiar with developments said India had put contingency plans into operation, and begun activating alternative evacuation routes following the closure of Ukraine airspace.
India’s focus is on the safety and security of Indian nationals, particularly students. “We are closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation. The external affairs ministry’s control room in New Delhi has been expanded and made operational round the clock,” one of the people cited above said.
The new advisory from the Indian embassy in Kyiv described the situation in Ukraine as “highly uncertain” and asked Indian nationals to “maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are, be it in your homes, hostels, accommodations or in transit”.
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“All those who are travelling to Kyiv, including those travelling from western parts of Kyiv, are advised to return to their respective cities temporarily, especially towards safer places along the western bordering countries,” the advisory said.
Indian students were earlier asked to come to Kyiv to take special flights operated by Air India or other carriers. The Indian side had already decided to pull out the families of Indian diplomats and officials in Kyiv.
The people said additional Russian-speaking officials were sent to the Indian embassy in Kyiv and more were being deployed in countries neighbouring Ukraine.
The Indian Air Force has been placed on standby for all contingencies, people familiar with the developments said.
Addressing a special session of the United Nations Security Council shortly before Russia authorised the military operation in Ukraine, TS Tirumurti, India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, emphasised the priority attached by the country to the safety and return of its citizens in Ukraine.
“I underline once again that more than 20,000 Indian nationals, including students, are located in different parts of Ukraine, including in its border areas. We are facilitating the return of all Indian nationals, including Indian students, as required,” he said.
Several flights exited Ukrainian airspace after a notice to airmen (NOTAM) was issued early on Thursday, declaring the area restricted. Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise said on its website the airspace was closed to civilian flights “due to the high risk of aviation safety for civil aviation”.
“The provision of air traffic services to civilian users of the airspace of Ukraine is suspended,” a notification on the website said.
Eurocontrol, which manages air traffic in Europe, said Ukraine’s airspace was closed to civilian aircraft because of military restrictions. “No ops in Ukraine today... All operators advised. Russian NOTAM issued due to likely military activity. Ukraine NOTAM confirms,” said a post on Eurocontrol’s website.
Safe Airspace, set up to provide safety and conflict zone information for airlines after Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, too increased its risk level to “do not fly” on the basis of “extreme tension and developments on Feb 23”.
“Risk of unintended targeting of civilian aircraft, cyberattacks on ATC service, and unforeseen non-normal operating environment for civil aircraft,” Safe Airspace said in an update.
