Ensuring The Security And Logistics For Indonesian Citizens Caught In The War In Chernihiv, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Coordinates With Russia And Ukraine For Evacuation

Illustration of the evacuation of civilians from Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/dsns.gov.ua/State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) ensures that it monitors the conditions of nine (9) Indonesian citizens (WNI) trapped in the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Chernihiv, in coordination with the authorities of the two countries to ensure a safe route for evacuation.

One of the families of an Indonesian citizen from Binjai, North Sumatra, cried asking the government to immediately evacuate his family who were in Chernihiv. After the teleconference with the Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine in the Command Center (BCC) of Binjai City Hall, Muhammad Raga Prayuga's mother, Ritami, burst into tears while carrying her photo telling the story of the condition of the child currently in Northern Ukraine.

Regarding this matter, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Teuku Faizasyah, ensured that his party through the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Kyiv continued to monitor and communicate with the nine Indonesian citizens, establishing communication with the two warring parties regarding the evacuation.

"The Indonesian Embassy continues to communicate with the nine Indonesian citizens who are still trapped. The government also continues to communicate with the conflict parties, to be able to evacuate, especially during the humanitarian pause and the opening of corridors for evacuation," he explained to VOI via text message Tuesday, March 8.

"They have to go out to a safer area first and can only go by land. Then they will be sent back to Indonesia," he continued regarding the repatriation to the country.

Meanwhile, the Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha explained, prior to the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv had established communication with Indonesian citizens in Ukraine, including nine people who were in Chernihiv.

"According to the contingency plan, if an attack occurs, Indonesian citizens are asked to immediately gather at the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv. However, unlike other Indonesian citizens, when the attack occurred, the nine Indonesian citizens in Chernihiv could not reach the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv, which is about 2 hours away," he said when confirmed by VOI.

"Since then the Indonesian Embassy has continued to monitor their condition. Today Zoom communication was held again with 9 Indonesian citizens in Chernihiv and their families in Indonesia. They conveyed that they were in safe condition and adequate logistical supplies. They were asked to remain in Chernihiv because currently fighting is still going on," he explained.

He added that in parallel, the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv continues to communicate intensively with various parties in Ukraine and Russia, to be able to provide safe passage or safe evacuation routes for Indonesian citizens.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv has prepared a pick-up if the safe evacuation route has been confirmed by the two warring parties," he concluded.

It was previously reported that Muhammad Raga Prayuga along with eight other Indonesian citizens from Binjai and Langkat who worked in a plastic factory owned by a Jordanian citizen in Ukraine, were trapped in the invasion of Chernihiv.

Ritami said that his son actually wanted to return to Indonesia when he heard the news about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the process is very slow. As a result, they are stuck in the middle of Russia's war with Ukraine.

"We ask the Indonesian government to evacuate my son and his friends there (Ukraine)," said Rutami, adding that his son's work contract expires in September 2022.