Operation Ganga: IAF can send 4 aircraft daily, bring 200 in one round, says Vice Chief of Air Staff
New Delhi, March 2: Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sandeep Singh on Wednesday said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) can send up to four aircraft daily to help the government in its efforts to evacuate Indians stranded in Ukraine under 'Operation Ganga'.
He further added that the four aircraft can bring back 200 people on each trip.
While speaking at a press conference, Singh assured that the Air Force would safely bring back stranded Indian nationals in Ukraine adding "IAF can send four aircraft in a day to evacuate Indians stranded in Ukraine, and 200 people will be brought back in one round. I am sure we will bring all our people back safely."
Singh also informed that "The evacuation operation will run round the clock. Relief materials are also being sent. The operation is underway in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)."
Meanwhile, another IAF aircraft is scheduled to fly to Poland to facilitate the evacuation of stranded Indian citizens in Ukraine.
The Vice Chief of Air Staff stated that the sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States will not affect the IAF significantly and added that "India's relations with both countries are strong."
Also Read | Why is Russia declaring war against Ukraine? Here’s what you should know
US President Joe Biden has announced the suspension of Russian flights in US airspace, as well as cutting Russia's largest banks off from the international financial system and preventing Russia's central bank from defending the Russian Ruble, effectively rendering Putin's USD 630 billion "war fund" worthless.
Following the launch of Russian military operations in Ukraine on February 24, the Indian government began 'Operation Ganga' to evacuate stranded Indian nationals back to India from the conflict-torn country. Special flights are being operated as part of the 'Operation Ganga' to allow the free return of stranded Indians.
The 24x7 control centres have also been set up to aid the evacuation of Indians through the border crossing points with Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. A new route has been established through Moldova, with an MEA team being stationed there to assist in the evacuation of Indians through Romania.
To aid Operation Ganga, a special Twitter account (@opganga) has been established. The Indian Embassy in Kyiv has advised Indian citizens not to travel to any of the border checkpoints without first consulting with government officials stationed at the checkpoints.
Meanwhile, India has requested Russia for the emergency evacuation of its citizens stranded in Ukraine through Russian territory.
Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war to severely affect Hyundai Motor Group
-PTC News
