Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the evolving situation in Ukraine, Moscow sent its ambassador-designate to New Delhi. Denis Alipov, a leading India-specialist, belongs to a family of diplomats.
During the phone call on Thursday, India sought assistance from Russia to evacuate its nationals trapped in Ukraine. Sources said India would send flights to evacuate its nationals from capital Kyiv and other cities. Indian citizens are expected to be driven from Ukraine to neighbouring countries like Hungary and Poland and later airlifted to India. In such a situation, there will be a greater requirement of closer consultation between Russia and India. Mr. Alipov's arrival is expected to help in such critical tasks. Around 18,000 Indians are present in Ukraine.
His arrival coincides with heavy military action by Russian forces against Ukrainian targets. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Kyiv has been invaded by Russian forces. Ukraine has informed that the Russian military has established road checkpoints on the Kyiv-Sumy highway.
