Russia asks Indian students to remain wherever they are; Naidu, Channi interact with Jaishankar

NEW DELHI: Indian nationals stuck in Ukraine should stay calm and remain wherever they are residing, Russian diplomatic sources said on Friday amid India's diplomatic overdrive to evacuate its citizens from the eastern European nation. The sources said President Vladimir Putin conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night that the Russian military operation in Ukraine does not represent any threat to the civilian population.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday spoke to external affairs minister S Jaishankar to enquire about the well-being of Indian students stuck in war-hit Ukraine and suggested that proactive measures be taken to bring all of them safely back to India.

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The Uttar Pradesh state government has appointed a relief commissioner as the nodal officer to facilitate assistance to students from Uttar Pradesh stranded in the foreign country. The toll-free helpline number of the UP state control room is (0522) 1070, and the mobile number is 9454441081.

Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi wrote to Jaishankar, requesting the central government to make immediate arrangements for the safe evacuation of Indians, including Punjabis, stuck in Ukraine. In his letter to Jaishankar, Channi said, "I would like to bring to your notice that a number of students and other Punjabis are stranded in Ukraine. Their parents and family members are worried about their safety because of the situation which has developed there. They are facing a number of problems like place to stay, cash crunch, etc."

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Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy on Friday urged prime minister Narendra Modi to evacuate students from the Union Territory who are stranded in war-affected Ukraine. In a press release from the Chief Minister's Office, it said a group of parents of stranded students from Puducherry met Rangasamy at his chamber and sought immediate steps for their evacuation.

On Thursday, Russia had launched a major military offensive in Ukraine, targeting various cities and military installations that had left the world stunned.