Indian embassy issues warning to citizens to "Leave Ukraine at the earliest…"

Kyiv: The Indian embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday issued an advisory, warning against travelling to the battle zone and also asking Indian citizens currently in Ukraine to leave as soon as possible, as hostilities continue to increase throughout Ukraine.

"In view of the deteriorating security situation and the recent escalation of hostilities across Ukraine, Indian nationals are advised against travelling to Ukraine," the Indian embassy in Ukraine said in an advisory posted on its Twitter handle.

"The Indian citizens, including students, currently in Ukraine are advised to leave Ukraine at the earliest by available means," it added.

On Monday morning, Kyiv heard several explosions that were subsequently determined to be targeted drone assaults targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

At least five people have died, according to Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, as a result of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital, ANI reported.

"From under the rubble of a building in the center of the capital, which was hit by a Russian kamikaze drone yesterday morning, the body of another deceased resident - an elderly woman - was recovered. This is already the fifth victim of Russia's barbaric attack on the capital on October 17," Klitschko tweeted.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine, 30% of Ukraine's power plants have been destroyed as a result of Russian aggression, eliminating any opportunity for negotiations with "Putin's regime."

"Another kind of Russian terrorist attack: targeting Ukrainian energy and critical infrastructure. Since Oct 10, 30% of Ukraine's power stations have been destroyed, causing massive blackouts across the country. No space left for negotiations with Putin's regime," he said in a tweet.

Multiple explosions were reported to have been targeted attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure on Monday morning in Kyiv, employing drones built in Iran.

After a truck recently exploded on the Crimea road bridge, setting seven fuel tanks of a train travelling to the Crimean Peninsula on fire, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has further intensified.

Four years after Moscow occupied Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially opened the Crimean Bridge in 2018. It was built to connect the peninsula to Russia's transportation system.