THRISSUR: Union Minister V Muraleedharan while addressing the media said the Ministry of External Affairs is taking steps to rescue and bring back the 18,000 Indians including students from Ukraine. He said there was no need to panic and that alternative arrangements would be taken as the airspace is closed.

The embassy is planning to repatriate Indians to neighbouring countries by land means as evacuations by air from Ukraine have stalled. It is mandatory for all citizens to carry their passports. A directive has been issued asking them to monitor all social media including embassy’s Twitter and Facebook, regularly.