With around 20 Indian nationals still believed to be stranded in Ukraine while the war has only intensified and bombing continued by Russia, the External Affairs Ministry said that it is making all efforts to bring them safely under “Operation Ganga”.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told media persons that though the situation is critical in Ukraine “ but we will keep doing what we can to evacuate those who want to come”, he said.

He claimed that till four days ago, around 50 Indians were struck in the war-torn country. We now believe that there are around 20 people still stranded and desperate to come out. Some others say they wished to stay back despite the war. “We are providing as much help as possible to them,” Bagchi said.

Noting that over 22,500 Indians have been brought back from the east European country, he said there are people in isolated pockets and “this is an evolving situation”.

He said that they are in contact with all the Indians who are in Ukraine. The Indian embassy is providing as much help as possible to them, Bagchi said.

Asked about the three Indians stranded in Ukraine’s southern region of Kherson, he said the focus is to evacuate them and any route could be taken.

“Many people have said ‘Operation Ganga’ has come to an end. It is not so. Those who want to be evacuated, we are helping them through our embassy operating from Warsaw (in Poland),” the MEA spokesperson said.