Russia-Ukraine War: Latest update on evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Odessa via Moldova to Romania

Amid escalating Russia-Ukraine War, Indians authorities are further speeding up the evacuation of their nationals stranded in different parts of crisis-hit Ukraine. Here are latest updates on the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Odessa (Ukraine) via Moldova to Romania.

- Embassy of India in Romania in coordination with Moldovan authorities is organizing movement of Indian nationals stranded in Odessa (Ukraine) to Bucharest (Romania) via Moldova

- Airspace in Moldova is closed so Indians are being sent to Bucharest

- Embassy is organising two routes for buses - one set of buses for those crossing the Palanca border (Ukraine- Moldova) and being sent directly to Romania without stopping in Moldova

- Another route for those who are in the camps located in and around the capital Chisinău

- The bus services are being provided free of cost

- Since March 01, about 250 students have crossed over to Romania. 

-They have all been sent by buses organised by Embassy directly to Romania (Bucharest) from the border. About 80-100 nationals are still left in and around Chisinău (Capital) and most will be leaving by a bus today (on March 02).

- In Bucharest, Indian Embassy is helping the Indian nationals with flights under Operation Ganga.

- Embassy in coordination with Romanian Authorities, has ensured that no visa is required to exit Romania via special flights.

Meanwhile, it has been reported by news agency PTI that six flights from the Romanian capital Bucharest will bring back on Wednesday over 1,200 Indian students who have fled the war-hit Ukraine.

India has been evacuating its citizens through special flights from Ukraine's western neighbours such as Romania, Hungary and Poland as the Ukrainian airspace has been shut down since February 24.

Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted on Wednesday: "We are mounting six flights today in Bucharest, Romania, carrying over 1,200 Indian students back to India."

He thanked Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo for rising to the challenge and working round-the-clock with the government on the evacuation operations.

Scindia, who is in Bucharest, on Wednesday held a meeting with heads of Indian companies that work in Romania to decentralise evacuation operations for Indians stranded in Ukraine due to the Russian military offensive.

Approximately 8,000 Indians, mainly students, are stranded in Ukraine, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Tuesday.

The aviation minister on Wednesday tweeted, "Chaired a meeting with Ambassador Rahul Shrivastava and the Indian diaspora -- heads of Indian companies in Romania to decentralise the evacuation operations and map out responsibilities, including assisting with medical emergencies, a 24*7 call centre and state-wise data collection."

The diaspora members will also accompany to the border camps and help fill any gaps in arrangements, Scindia noted.

"I thank them for their tireless efforts and commitment towards making Operation Ganga a quick success! Together, we shall overcome!" he stated.

Four Union ministers have gone to Ukraine's western neighbours to facilitate the evacuation of stranded Indians.

Hardeep Singh Puri is in Hungary, Jyotiraditya Scindia is in Romania, Kiren Rijiju is in Slovakia and V K Singh is in Poland.