PM Modi calls in Air Force for evacuation in Ukraine

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for Indian Air Force (IAF) to bring back stranded Indians from Ukraine and to scale up the ongoing evacuation efforts under operation Ganga.

"Leveraging the capacities of our Air Force will ensure that more people can be evacuated in a shorter timeframe," media reports quoted government sources as saying on Tuesday.

According to reports, the IAF is likely to deploy several C-17 aircraft as part of Operation Ganga from Tuesday.

''The large C-17 aircraft will also help deliver humanitarian aid to war-hit Ukraine more efficiently,'' the reports added.

The government has already launched Operation Ganga to rescue Indian citizens from the war hit Ukraine. So far, 1,396 Indian nationals have been brought back from Ukraine in six evacuation flights.

Apart from these, the Centre on Monday decided to send four Union ministers to nations adjoining Ukraine to personally oversee and coordinate the evacuation exercise.

Meanwhile, in its latest advisory to the people of India stuck in war-worn Ukraine, the government has urged all its citizens to leave Ukraine's capital Kyiv "urgently today, by trains or any other means available".

"All Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available," read the latest advisory from the Indian Embassy in Ukraine.

"We sincerely request all Indian nationals/students to remain calm, peaceful and united. A large crowd can be expected at the railway stations, therefore, it is advised that all Indian students remain patient, composed and especially not to exhibit aggressive behaviour while at the railway station," the advisory added.

Also read: "Leave Kyiv Urgently Today", Indian Government Tells Citizens

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