Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level meeting on Saturday, 5 March, on the crisis in Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia, news agency ANI reported.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Saturday that any country imposing a no fly zone over Ukraine will become a party to the conflict.
The Indian government earlier in the day said that over 13,700 Indians have been brought back from Ukraine since the special flights began on 22 February.
"Under ‘Operation Ganga’ to rescue Indian citizens, about 3000 Indians have been airlifted today by 15 special flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries," the press release added.
Meanwhile, Russia had earlier declared ceasefire in Ukraine from 7:00 GMT on Saturday, 5 March, to open humanitarian corridors for civilians in the sieged port city of Mariupol and Volnovakha. However, the evacuations were stopped after Mariupol officials reported ceasefire violations by Russian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly criticised the NATO's refusal to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying that the alliance had given Russia the green light to continue its bombing campaign
Ukraine claims Russia violated ceasefire in Mariupol after agreeing to a truce, halting evacuations
Russia seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Friday, after a fire broke out at what is the largest nuclear facility in Europe due to an attack by the invaders
Multiple loud explosions were heard in Kharkiv city on Saturday morning
India said at the UNSC meet on Friday that it attaches the highest importance to ensuring safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine
Russia has blocked Twitter and Facebook inside the country amid the war
Ukraine is looking to hold third round of talks with Russian officials this weekend
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Possibility of Financial Cooperation Between India-Russia: Russian Envoy
The Russian envoy spoke to the media on Saturday and said, "It (Ukraine situation) will have consequences for whole world including Russia-India ties, to what extent, it'll be reflected, can't say now. There may be an impact in terms of transactions, possibility of financial cooperation in connection with sanctions," news agency ANI reported.
The envoy added that this is proving to be a beneficial situation for Indians, as the West partners refuse to cooperate.
He added, "Russia has provided 100s of buses and is waiting to take Indians out. A group of diplomats has been sent to Belgorod from the Indian embassy to deal with this issue on the spot and coordinate actions with the Russian side."
Will Ensure Safe Evacuations of Indians From Sumy: Indian Embassy in Ukraine
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine put out a statement on the evacuation process and said that it will ensure safe evacuation of all students from Sumy.
Any Country Imposing No Fly Zone Over Ukraine Will Become Party to Conflict: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Saturday that any country imposing a no fly zone over Ukraine will become a party to the conflict.
"No matter which country declares a no-fly zone over Ukraine, we will count it as participation in the war. And it doesn't matter which alliance the country is a member of, " he said in a media briefing.
Putin also said that he had no intention of declaring martial law in Russia.
Talking about Russian military operations Putin said, “It’s going entirely according to plan. Everything is being done the way our General Staff planned it.”
UK Asks British Nationals to Leave Russia if Stay Not 'Essential'
The UK government on Saturday told British nationals to leave Russia if it was not essential for them to stay, news agency AFP reported.
"If your presence in Russia is not essential, we strongly advise that you consider leaving by remaining commercial routes," the Foreign Office website said.