Indian Government Issues Survival Guide For Indian Nationals/Students in Ukraine (Kharkiv), Check Dos And Don’ts

New Delhi, 4th March 2022: An advisory has been prepared by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses for Indian citizens, students stranded in Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion.

Potentially dangerous/difficult situations to be expected

Aerial Raids, Attacks by Aircraft/Drones
Missile attacks
Artillery Shelling
Small Arms/Gunfire
Grenade Explosions
Molotov Cocktails (including by local people/militia)
Building Collapse
Falling Debris
Internet Jamming
Lack of Electricity/Food/Water
Exposure to freezing temperature
Psychological Trauma/feeling of Panic
Injuries/Lack of medical support
Lack of Transportation
Face-to-face situation with armed fighters/military personnel
Ground Rules/Do’s

Compile and Share Information with your fellow Indians

Remain mentally strong/Do not panic

Organise yourselves in small groups/squads of ten Indian students/within that organise buddy/pair system/nominate a coordinator and a deputy coordinator in each group of ten persons

Your presence and whereabouts must always be known to your buddy /small group coordinator

Make a WhatsApp group, Compile details, names, address, mobile numbers and contact in India/Share geolocation on WhatsApp with Control Room(s) in Embassy or in New Delhi/Update information every 08 hours/Keep frequent headcount (every 08 hours)/Group/Squad coordinators to report their location to Control Rooms/Helpline Numbers

Only Coordinator/Deputy coordinator should communicate with local authorities/Embassy/Control Rooms in India to conserve phone batteries

Survival Guidelines

Keep ready a small kit of essential items on persons or at hand round the clock

Emergency Kit should contain Passport, ID Card, essential medication, life-saving drugs, torch, matchbox, lighter, candles, cash, energy bars, power banks, water, first-aid kit, headgear, muffler, gloves, warm jacket, warm socks and a comfortable pair of shoes, as available

Conserve and share food and water: avoid full meals, eat smaller portions to extend the rations. Stay hydrated. If you find yourself in an open area/field, melt snow to make water

If available, keep one large garbage bag per person to use as ground matting/cover against exposure to rain/ cold/storm/during forced march/evacuation

If injured or ill – intimate condition and seek advice from Control Room/Helpline/WhatsApp

Delete all unnecessary apps in mobile, limit conversations to low volume/audio mode to conserve battery

Stay indoors, preferably in designated safe zones, basements, bunkers

If you find yourself in the streets, then walk on the sides of the roads, close to cover of buildings, crouch low to avoid being targeted, do not cross streets, avoid city centres, downtown areas. Turn around street corners in urban areas with great caution

In each designated group/squad, keep a white flag/white cloth for waving

Learn two or three sentences in Russian (e.g., we are students, we are not combatants, please do not harm us, we are from India)

Here are the sentences in Russian:

Я студентизИндии (I am a student from India) – Ya student iz Indii

Я некомбатант (I am a non-combatant) – Ya niekombatant

Пожалуйстапомогите (Please help me) – Pozhalusta pomogite mne

When stationary, do regular deep breathing mild movement of limbs to maintain good blood circulation

Pack minimum personal belongings (other than the emergency kit) preferably in small backpack suitable for long trek/walking

Be ready to move under instructions at short notice/do not carry large bags to avoid slowing down, fatigue and crowding

If stopped by military check-post or by police/armed personnel/militia – Cooperate/Obey/Raise your hands with open palms facing forward above your shoulders/Remain polite/Provide necessary information/Contact the Control Room/Helpline when possible without confrontation

Movement for evacuation should be done in coordination with authorities as guided by Control Room/Helpline

Don’ts

Avoid stepping out from your bunker/basement/shelter at all times

Do not go to downtown/crowded areas

Do not join local protestors or militia

Refrain from commenting on social media

Don’t pick up weapons or any unexploded ammunition/shells

Do not take pictures/selfies with military vehicles/troops/soldiers/check posts/militia

Do not try and film live combat situations

In the event of warning sirens, take immediate shelter wherever possible. If you are in the open, lie flat on your stomach and cover your head with your backpack

Do not light fires in enclosed spaces

Do not consume alcohol/refrain from substance abuse

Do not wear wet socks to avoid chill blains/frostbite. Wherever possible, remove your shoes and dry your socks and other wet belongings

Avoid unstable/damaged buildings and be mindful of falling/flying debris

Stay away from glass windows to avoid injury from flying glass during explosions or gunfire

At check-posts, do not alarm the armed personnel by suddenly reaching for things/documents in your pockets unless told to do so.

Do not engage in sudden or jerky movements when confronted by armed personnel.