Exclusive | 'Heard we may be evacuated today': Indian girl stuck in Sumy city shares her ordeal
As the Ukraine crisis deepens with each passing day, students still stuck in the north-eastern city of Sumy have appealed for help.
Latest on Russia-Ukraine News: As the Ukraine crisis deepens with each passing day, students still stuck in the north-eastern city of Sumy have appealed for help, hoping they will be evacuated before they are faced with a situation like in Kyiv and Kharkiv. In an exclusive conversation, Deepika shared her ordeal with the India TV Digital team.
Narrating the ordeal and circumstances they are facing in the war-torn country, Deepika said, "At present we are safe, but there is a lot firing going on, sirens are going around, we have to rush to bunkers, overall the situation is terrifying."
They have been informed that PM Modi spoke to President Putin... maybe by (today, Friday) they may be evacuated, she said adding that Russian authorities are standing at the border but Ukrainian authorities are not allowing them to leave.
It was around 10:45 pm in Sumy (Thursday night) when India TV held a telephonic conversation with Deepika. She is from Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district. It has been nine days that they have been suffering through this situation. Deepika stays in a hostel, she informed.
Continuing speaking, she said power plants are being attacked... since February 24... they cannot switch on lights… as attack can take place.
The stranded Indian student informed that they will be evacuated towards Russian border side, near 'Sudzha' which is around 60-62 kms from their place. There is no water, however, power supply is functioning.
Speaking about how they are managing food and other essential items, she said that they can only go out when the curfew is lifted... but their are long queues and no money in ATMs. Our railway station is closed after it was destroyed in an attack... there are mines everywhere, civilians are carrying guns... difficult to trust anyone, she added.
She claimed that the Ukrainian authorities are not allowing the Indian students to evacuate to the nearest Russian border near Sumy city. Deepika claimed that about 700 Indian students are stranded in Sumy, which is located close to the Russian border. The stranded Indian student claimed that they tried hard to contact the Indian embassy but didn't get any success.
She earlier said that the Indian students haven't been able to contact the Indian embassy either. The students are not willing to travel without permission or clearance in such a grave situation. The students are stranded so far off and in a different part of the country and they haven't got any update from the embassy too.
The eastern part of Ukraine has been witnessing intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) here said on Wednesday that efforts are on reaching cities in the eastern part of that country, though it is not easy.
The unfolding situation has not only left Indian students scrambling to reach a safe place but has also kept their families back home on pins and glued to TV and the internet for constant updates.
Russia on Wednesday said it is working "intensely" to create a "humanitarian corridor" for safe passage to Russian territory of Indian nationals stuck in Kharkiv, Sumy and other conflict zones in Ukraine following a request from New Delhi.
Russia launched its attack on Ukraine last Thursday. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, nearly 17,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine's borders since advisories were issued over a fortnight back. An estimated 20,000 Indian nationals, mainly medical students, reside in Ukraine.
Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: India issues 3rd advisory in two days for students in Kharkiv
Also Read | Russia Ukraine War: Four Indian Air Force planes bring 798 Indian students home
Also Read | No verified reports of Ukraine using Indian students as human shields: US Dept of State
Also Read | Daler Mehndi meets Indian students evacuated from Ukraine, thanks PM Modi
Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: PM Modi interacts with students who returned from Ukraine | Check Pics