Indian nationals stranded in war-torn Ukraine have been making appeals to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their safe return to the country as the eastern parts of Ukraine continue to be under Russian attack.

Indian students in Ukraine have sought temporary shelters inside bunkers, where they have apparently been spending their days without food, water, or proper ventilation. A student, identified as Meghna from Bangalore, shot a video from one such overcrowded dimly lit room and posted it on social media.

Requesting the government for immediate help, she said, “We have been stuck in a bunker for more than 24 hours now without food, water and even proper ventilation. Here we have many people who have come from different parts of India. We need help from the Indian government and we don't see anyone taking a step from any higher official. We have been staying in this bunker, it has been really hard.”

Meanwhile, another girl is heard saying, “Please help us out, please help evacuate all the Indian students stuck in Ukraine.” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his concern over the same on his Twitter page. “Visuals of Indian students in bunkers are disturbing. Many are stuck in eastern Ukraine which is under heavy attack. My thoughts are with their worried family members. Again, I appeal to GOI to execute an urgent evacuation,” he wrote.

Air India is currently operating two flights from Delhi to Bucharest (Romania) and Budapest (Hungary) in attempts to evacuate over 16000 stranded Indians from Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs reportedly said, “All Indian Citizens in Ukraine are advised to not move to any of the border posts without prior coordination with Government of India officials at the border posts and the Emergency numbers of Embassy of India, Kiev.”

Visuals of Indian students in bunkers are disturbing. Many are stuck in eastern Ukraine which is under heavy attack.

My thoughts are with their worried family members. Again, I appeal to GOI to execute urgent evacuation. pic.twitter.com/alem9nYNgr

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 26, 2022