Indian Students Advised To Leave Ukraine; US Embassy Warns Of Attacks At Malls: Here's Where The Crisis Stands

Amid ongoing escalations in the Russia-Ukraine row, India has asked its citizens including students who are living in Ukraine to return if their stay in the east European nation "is not deemed essential".

In a second advisory on Sunday, the Indian embassy in Ukraine said Indian citizens should look for any available commercial or charter flight to get out of the country amid tensions over a possible invasion by Russia. The earlier advisory asked students to leave Ukraine as soon as possible.

Reuters

"Indians advised to leave Ukraine"

"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 Indian embassy in Ukraine tweeted.

"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 India embassy said.

Indians in Ukraine who need information and assistance can also contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or MEA, which has set up a dedicated control room. There were reports of people not getting flight tickets earlier this week. India's embassy in Ukraine has a 24-hour helpline.

ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN UKRAINE.@MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @PIBHindi @DDNewslive @DDNewsHindi @IndianDiplomacy @PTI_News @IndiainUkraine pic.twitter.com/i3mZxNa0BZ

¡ª India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) February 20, 2022

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Moscow warned Americans late Sunday of potential attacks in public places in Russia, including along border with Ukraine where the Kremlin has massed troops in advance of a feared invasion.

US embassy warned of attacks in public areas in Russia

"According to media sources, there have been threats of attacks against shopping centres, railway and metro stations, and other public gathering places in major urban areas," the embassy said in statement.

The mission did not point to specific reports. The embassy's warning said there was a risk of attacks in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, "as well as in areas of heightened tension along the Russian border with Ukraine".

AFP

Western countries have been warning for weeks that Moscow could be planning an attack on its ex-Soviet neighbour, accusing Russia of building up a force of tens of thousands of troops.

The embassy told Americans in Russia to "avoid crowds" and "have evacuation plans that do not rely on US government assistance".