'I don’t feel safe here now. Anything can happen’: Indian student in Ukraine

The Ukraine has over 18,000 medical students from India who now await a safe passage back home. However, the Ukranian government has stopped issuing visas and cancelled all flights for safety purposes. Many students have rushed to the Indian Embassy for help.

Some of the Mumbai-based students told mid-day that those who have cash in hand will be able to survive. There is, however, no cash in the ATMs, all essential shops including those for food are empty.

Ram Niwas Poonia, surgeon, Odessa Regional hospital, Ukraine

Many students have stored enough food for a week. But the government has instructed them to not step outside their houses. On Thursday morning Russia attacked a military camp near the Odessa Regional hospital, near which maximum Indian students stay, as many practice at the hospital.

'A horrible situation'

Speaking to mid-day, Ram Niwas Poonia, 35, a surgeon at Odessa hospital and a resident of Marine Drive said, "Suddenly at 4am on Thursday, the bombing started. There were loud noises. I checked from the window and saw heavy smoke and fire everywhere. I rushed to the hospital and soon many injured people arrived. It's a horrible situation here. Just on Wednesday night I had stored food at home."

Rahul Lallan Gupta, student, Ukraine

"The Indian embassy is helping us. I have been teaching students at this hospital for the past few years and earlier I was a student here. But I don't feel safe here now. Anything can happen. There are over 18,000 Indian students in the Ukraine. The government is informing us about the situation and has told us to stay at home. I want to go back to India as soon as possible," he added.

Indian embassy assures

Another student, Rahul Lallan Gupta, a resident of Santacruz and a student of the second year, medicine, at the lviv National Medical University said, "It is very scary and I want to return to Mumbai. I miss my family. I contacted the Indian Embassy and it has sent an email to all the students saying they are trying their best and will get us home as soon as possible."

"Military personnel and the police visit our places regularly and instruct us to not step out of the house. But it will be a tough situation in coming days if we cannot go home. We request the government to send us home without a visa on urgent basis," Gupta added.