Ukraine to impose state of emergency, likely to be extended up to 60 days
Kyiv, February 23: The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) has decided to declare a state of emergency across the country, except for the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on Wednesday.
"The issue of declaring a state of emergency was discussed. The decision was made. According to our legislation, Verkhovna Rada must approve this decision within 48 minutes. A state of emergency will be introduced throughout Ukraine, except for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions," Danilov told mediapersons.
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Measures will be tightened or softened depending on the situation in different parts of the country, he said, noting that the emergency was planned to be declared for 30 days and could be extended up to 60 days.
After declaring the emergency state, the authorities do not plan to confiscate registered weapons from the population, the NSDC chief added.
Meanwhile, Indians returning from Ukraine and their families expressed relief and joy after the special Air India (AI) flight returned to India in the early hours of Wednesday. A large number of returnees consisted of students studying medicine.
Rajesh Rana, father of a medical student at Kharkiv National Medical University, said, "We were trying to get tickets for several days. Finally, my daughter was able to board the Air India plane."
Expressing relief at the return of his daughter, he said, "I was awake entire night, and finally relieved after hearing that she had boarded the flight."
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As the flight landed and students deboarded, many of them were delighted to be back in India. "It feels good to be back home. The preparations at the Delhi airport were very good," said Sakshi, a student.
Yash Dewansh, a medical student, said, "There is a panic situation in Ukraine. We are all finally relieved."
Another returnee, Nirav Patel, said, "I obviously feel very good. This is my home country."
The Air India ferry flight had left on Monday for Ukraine to take back Indians who wished to return home. Air India had already announced that a total of three flights from Ukraine to India would operate for Indian nationals, including students, during the state of war in Ukraine.
-PTC News
