"Can't Afford Tickets," Indian Students Asked To Leave Ukraine Tell NDTV

In an advisory on Tuesday, the Indian embassy in capital Kyiv asked Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine.

On a day when India advised its citizens in Ukraine to temporarily leave that country amid escalating tension over Russia's increasing military build-up at the border, Indian students studying in the country spoke to NDTV about the challenges in following the directive.

"The situation is really tense. Some students have already booked their flights but the flights are cancelled," Harsh Goyal, a student in Ukraine, said.

"The Indian government has asked students to leave but prices are really high. Some students here can't afford it. How would the government ensure their safety?" he said.

"We are continuously in touch with the embassy through emails and calls. They have said you all are safe here. If something is going to happen, they will evacuate us," Mr Goyal added.