Reports of Sri Lankans rescued in Ukraine put Colombo in spot
2 years, 3 months ago

Reports of Sri Lankans rescued in Ukraine put Colombo in spot

The Hindu  

Recent media reports of Ukrainian authorities rescuing seven Sri Lankans from the Kharkiv region have put Colombo, which maintains close ties with Russia, on a sticky diplomatic wicket. Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly said seven Sri Lankans, who were held by the “invading Russian forces since March” in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, had been rescued from “torture chambers”. Meanwhile, officials in Colombo told local media that the seven Sri Lankans were not students but “illegal immigrants” trying to flee the island nation’s economic distress and claimed they did not wish to return. Deeply concerned Soon after the invasion in February, the Government of Sri Lanka said it was “deeply concerned” about the escalation of violence and urged “all parties” concerned to exercise “maximum restraint and work towards the immediate cessation of hostilities, to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.” “Ukraine and other actors backing it were unhappy with our position, they expressed displeasure,” the Foreign Ministry official said, suggesting that the current development was possibly a “pressure” tactic.

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History of this topic

‘Duped’ Sri Lankans fighting in Russia-Ukraine war
6 months, 1 week ago

‘Duped’ Sri Lankans fighting in Russia-Ukraine war

The Hindu  

When Sri Lanka's economy crashed in 2022, people sought work abroad wherever they could find it — including ex-soldiers who joined forces fighting in Ukraine after Russia's invasion. Colombo's parliament set up an inquiry last month to track at least 2,000 battle-hardened Sri Lankans who reportedly enlisted on both sides of the Ukraine war, including in the regular armed forces …

‘Waiting for a call from Daddy’: Sri Lankans die in Russia’s Ukraine war
8 months, 4 weeks ago

‘Waiting for a call from Daddy’: Sri Lankans die in Russia’s Ukraine war

Al Jazeera  

At least two Sri Lankans have been killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, and three on the Ukrainian side. Colombo, Sri Lanka – Badly wounded from a Ukrainian attack on a Russian bunker in the Donetsk region, Sri Lankan fighter Senaka Bandara* tried to carry his fellow countryman, Nipuna Silva*, to safety. The two reported deaths add to the three …

Sri Lanka ends visas for hundreds of thousands of Russians staying there to avoid war
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka ends visas for hundreds of thousands of Russians staying there to avoid war

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sri Lanka has told hundreds …

Russian strike kills 25 as Kremlin plans to annex Ukraine regions
2 years, 2 months ago

Russian strike kills 25 as Kremlin plans to annex Ukraine regions

India TV News  

Highlights Russia pounded Ukrainian cities with missiles, rockets, and suicide drones In Mykolaiv, a Russian missile struck a high rise and wounded eight people Ukrainian President called an emergency meeting of his National Security and Defense Council Russia-Ukraine War : Russia pounded Ukrainian cities with missiles, rockets, and suicide drones, with one strike, reported to have killed 25 people, as …

Sri Lankans describe abuse as Russian captives in Ukraine
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lankans describe abuse as Russian captives in Ukraine

India TV News  

Russia Ukraine War : A group of Sri Lankans held captive by Russian forces in an agricultural factory in eastern Ukraine said on Saturday that they were beaten and abused for months before escaping on foot as the Russians withdrew from the Kharkiv region this month. Recounting their ordeal to reporters in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, one of the seven …

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka is hosting thousands of stranded Ukrainians
2 years, 8 months ago

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka is hosting thousands of stranded Ukrainians

Al Jazeera  

Official figures show about 5,000 Ukrainians and 15,000 Russians visited the island nation in the month the conflict began. “I love Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan people,” Makarenko told the AFP news agency. “Everybody wants to help us.” She, her husband and their five-year-old daughter had been travelling around Sri Lanka for weeks when Russian forces invaded Ukraine. “We stay …

'We're People, They are Too': Despite Own Crisis, Sri Lankans 'Overwhelm' Stranded Ukrainians With Help
2 years, 8 months ago

'We're People, They are Too': Despite Own Crisis, Sri Lankans 'Overwhelm' Stranded Ukrainians With Help

News 18  

As the sun dips below the Indian Ocean waves, Ukrainian tourist Viktoria Makarenko and her daughter light incense every evening at a temple in a Sri Lankan beach resort to pray for a return home. “Everybody wants to help us.” She, her husband and their five-year-old daughter had been travelling around Sri Lanka for weeks when Russian forces invaded Ukraine. …

Russia-Ukraine war updates: All 694 Indian students stranded in Ukraine's Sumy have left for Poltava, says Hardeep Puri
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia-Ukraine war updates: All 694 Indian students stranded in Ukraine's Sumy have left for Poltava, says Hardeep Puri

Firstpost  

Russia-Ukraine war updates: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that all 694 Indian students stranded in Ukraine’s Sumy have left for Poltava today Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that all 694 Indian students stranded in Ukraine’s Sumy have left for Poltava today. Buses packed with people fleeing the Russian invasion in …

Russia-Ukraine crisis | Caught in a conflict
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia-Ukraine crisis | Caught in a conflict

The Hindu  

This article forms a part of the View From India newsletter curated by The Hindu’s foreign affairs experts. On Thursday, India, once again, abstained as the United Nations General Assembly voted 141-5 to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling on Moscow to unconditionally withdraw its troops. Neighbourhood Watch China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday accused the United States of …

No hostage situation involving Indian students in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, says MEA
2 years, 9 months ago

No hostage situation involving Indian students in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, says MEA

Firstpost  

India’s comments came hours after Russia claimed that some Indian students were taken hostage by Ukrainian security forces NEW DELHI: India on Thursday said it has not received any report of a hostage situation involving Indian students in Kharkiv and that it has requested the support of Ukraine in arranging special trains for taking them out from the city and …

No report of students taken hostage in Ukraine, says India after Russia's claim
2 years, 9 months ago

No report of students taken hostage in Ukraine, says India after Russia's claim

India Today  

The Ministry of External Affairs has said it has not received any reports about Indian students being held hostage in war-hit Ukraine. We thank Ukraine’s western neighbours in receiving Indian nationals and for accommodating them while they waited for flights to take them back home.” Russia on Wednesday claimed that Ukraine had taken Indian students hostage. Russia's Ministry of Defense …

Russia Ukraine War: No report of Indian students taken hostage in Kharkiv, clarifies MEA
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia Ukraine War: No report of Indian students taken hostage in Kharkiv, clarifies MEA

India TV News  

Highlights India has asked its citizens to leave Kharkiv urgently as Russia continues to bombard the city India said it has requested Ukrainian authorities to arrange special trains for evacuating students Russia had earlier said some Indian students in Kharkiv were taken hostage by Ukrainian forces India on Thursday categorically rejected reports of Indian students being held as hostages in …

Ukraine kept Indian students as hostages in Kharkiv, says Russia
2 years, 9 months ago

Ukraine kept Indian students as hostages in Kharkiv, says Russia

India Today  

As India steps up its efforts to evacuate its citizens stranded in war-torn Ukraine, it initiated a request for safe passage from both Russia and Ukraine. Russia's Ministry of Defense in a briefing said while Russia was trying to evacuate Indian students from Kharkiv the Ukrainian forces had taken Indians hostage. In a statement by the ministry's official representative, Major …

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