Khushi Doshi
Published on: March 3, 2022, at 17:29 IST
All Indian Nationals in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, have been asked to leave immediately for their safety due to heavy shelling by Russian forces.
Kharkiv has been the epicentre of much of the recent violence in Ukraine. The embassy advised Indians to walk to Pisochyn (11 km), Babaye (12 km), and Bezlyudivka (16 km), if vehicles or buses were unavailable.
“Must leave Kharkiv as soon as possible and travel to Pisochyn, Bezlyudovka, and Babaye. They have until today at 1800 hrs (Ukrainian time) to arrive at these settlements.” The Indian Embassy issued a tweet. The embassy issued another warning, saying that “For their own safety and security, they must leave Kharkiv immediately, repeat immediately, in light of the deteriorating situation.”
“Students who cannot find vehicles or buses and are at the railway station can walk to Pisochyn (11 km), Babai (12 km), and Bezlyudivka (16 km),” according to the advisory.
The warning comes as Russia shelled several key sites in Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, a fourth-year medical student at Kharkiv National Medical University, was killed in heavy shelling in Kharkiv.
Earlier in the day, Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov claimed that Russian troops had started blowing up power substations. A missile struck the government headquarters in Kharkiv on Tuesday, igniting cars and nearby buildings.
Another strike took place in one of Kharkiv’s residential areas. Later, Ukrainian President Zelensky called the attack a “War Crime.” At least 17 people were killed in Kharkiv on Tuesday, and dozens wounded, a report in IANS said. According to AFP, the smaller southern city of Kherson has also fallen to Russian forces.
Also Read: Russia-Ukraine Conflict: ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to Open Investigation into Alleged War Crimes