Russia Attacks Ukraine, Priority For The Indonesian Embassy In Moscow To Help Evacuate Indonesian Citizens

JAKARTA - The increasing crisis between Russia and Ukraine has made the Indonesian Embassy in Russia to prioritize efforts to help the safety of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who live in the former Soviet Union. They prepare a place for evacuation if the situation gets worse.

This was stated by Jose Tavares, the Indonesian Ambassador to Russia and Belarus during an interview via the Zoom application with VOI, on Thursday, February 24. President Putin has ordered military operations for the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. "President Putin has indeed said that there is a special military operation in the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine which includes Luhansk and Donetsk," he said.

The Russian public itself, which he observed, was saddened by this war. But they could not budge. The state, through its highest leadership, has instructed military operations, which have been criticized by many countries. Because like wars that occur in various places, the most victims must be the helpless parties such as children and the elderly. "Russian people themselves are actually saddened by this battle. But they can accept the military operation being carried out in the Donbas region," he said.

Life in the city of Moscow and the border areas with Ukraine, said the Ambassador, is still going on normally. "Life in Moscow itself is still normal. In the border area with Ukraine it is also still under control, although there are more than 90.000 refugees in Rostov who come from Donbos," he said.

Jose continues to communicate with the Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine Ghapur Dharmaputra to discuss saving Indonesian citizens living in Ukraine. "Our coordination continues through telephone, zoom, and other communication tools. There are about 47 Indonesian citizens living on the Russian border with Ukraine. In fact, there is one Indonesian citizen who is married to a Russian, whose place of residence is only 20 kilometers from the border. When asked why They don't want to evacuate because the situation according to him is still under control," he said.

So, continued Jose Tavares, the Indonesian citizen did not want to flee to Moscow, for example. Even though they have an apartment in the Russian capital. "Yes, what if the person concerned does not want to evacuate from the Milarova area. Even though the distance is only 20 km from the border," he said.

If the situation worsens, the Indonesian Embassy will advise Indonesian citizens to move from dangerous areas. "In the meantime, we advise them to move to Rostov, which is safer. However, if the situation worsens, Moscow becomes an option for refugees. There is an Indonesian school in Moscow that can be used as an emergency refuge," he said while hoping that the war between Russia and Ukraine would end soon.