Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for help in rescuing and returning Indians trapped in Ukraine, including Punjabis.

The Indian embassy in Ukraine has encouraged Indians in the country to remain calm and secure wherever they are as Russia conducts military operations in Ukraine. "I am deeply concerned about the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine. I implore Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji to intercede for the rescue and safe return of Indians in general, and Punjabis in particular, who are trapped in the war-torn Ukraine," Channi wrote on Twitter.

India was finalising contingency measures on Thursday, including opening alternate air routes to evacuate its residents from Ukraine, as the threat of a large Russian offensive loomed over the eastern European country following President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a military action.

Given the fast changing situation in Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organised a series of high-level discussions to put specific contingency plans into action.

The situation in Ukraine worsened after President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation, raising fears of a full-scale military clash between the two countries. Following Putin's announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that a "invasion" in Europe may lead to a "great conflict."

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