New Delhi: Concerns remain over the evacuation of Indian students stranded in Sumi, near the Russian border. Non-stop shelling is an obstacle to the rescue mission. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy have asked students not to cross the border voluntarily and to remain in bunkers. The video message of the Indian students stated that they were moving to the border on their own as they did not get the help of the Indian Embassy. This was followed by a central response.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Arindam Bugchi said the focus was now on Sumi and that both governments were under intense pressure to allow students to exit and secure a safe corridor. Students must take all safety precautions. Do not leave the shelters where you can now. The Ministry and the Embassy are looking for all possible avenues. Continuing shelling can be life threatening. Students are safe on campus. He also informed that our group is now moving east.
The Indian embassy also tweeted that it was in talks with organizations, including the Red Cross, to identify safe routes to transport Sumi students to border countries. Russia’s ambassador to India Denis Alipov has said that the main goal is to repatriate Indians stranded in Ukraine. Russia does not have access to Sumi. Buses have come close to the city. Unable to access Sumi. He added that the rescue mission would look for other problem-free areas.