Operation Ganga: 8,000 Indians stranded in Ukraine evacuated through Romania, last flight set to depart

Bhubaneshwar (Odisha), March 9: At least 8,000 Indians who were stranded in war-torn Ukraine have been evacuated through Romania, stated the Government of India on Wednesday. According to the government, the last flight from Bucharest will depart today. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday that all Indian students have been evacuated from Sumy, Ukraine. So far, nearly 18,000 Indian citizens have been brought back by special flights as part of 'Operation Ganga,' which aims to rescue Indian citizens from Ukraine's neighbouring nations. Two special civilian flights from Ukraine's neighbouring nations brought 410 Indians to India on Tuesday, according to a media statement from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Approximately 18,000 stranded Indians in Ukraine have been evacuated using special flights that have been in service since February 22, 2022. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: Know how soaring crude oil prices will impact Indian economy A total of 15,521 Indians have been evacuated by 75 special passenger aircraft. As part of Operation Ganga, the IAF conducted 12 flights, bringing back 2,467 passengers and carrying 32 tonnes of relief aid, according to the release. 4,575 passengers were brought from Bucharest via 21 flights, 1,820 from Suceava via 9 flights, 5,571 from Budapest through 28 flights, 909 passengers via 5 flights from Kosice, 2,404 Indians through 11 flights from Rzeszow, and 242 passengers via a flight from Kyiv. This comes against the backdrop of Russian forces launching a military offensive against Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Starbucks suspends sales in Russia -PTC News