New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that India continues to step up efforts to evacuate its citizens from war-hit Ukraine. Speaking at the special briefing on ‘Operation Ganga’, to bring back Indian citizens from Ukraine amid Russia’s military operation, MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that nearly 18,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine’s border since the first travel advisory was issued by the Indian Embassy in Kyiv and as many as 18 flights were scheduled over the next 24 hours. “A total of 18,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine since our first advisory was released. 30 flights under Operation Ganga have brought back 6,400 Indians from Ukraine so far. In the next 24 hours, 18 flights have been scheduled,” he informed. Bagchi also said that flights under the mission to bring back stranded Indians from Ukraine have increased sharply and said that ministry will further step up efforts to bring all Indian nationals back to India at the earliest. “This increased number of flights reflects the large of Indians who have crossed over from Ukraine and are now in the neighboring countries. We will further step up efforts to bring all these Indian nationals back to India at the earliest,” he said.Related NewsUkraine-Russia conflict: ‘Leave Kharkiv immediately’, advises Indian embassy in Ukraine Talking about the ongoing evacuation effort, he said. “We are scheduling more flights and a large number of Indians will be back home in the next 2-3 days. I would like to appreciate the Ukrainian government and the neighbouring countries for hosting our people and providing support in evacuating them.” Bagchi said. Giving insight into the present situation in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, he said, “A large number of students have left Kharkiv after we issued an advisory yesterday. The total number of Indians waiting to cross Ukraine’s western borders has reduced. I am in touch with Russian and Ukrainian authorities for the evacuation of Indian nationals.”Related NewsRussia-Ukraine crisis: Indian doctor and his family still stuck in Kyiv, says ’embassy kept telling us to wait’ He further said that the ministry is in touch with all countries particularly Ukraine and Russia at various levels. “Prime Minister Modi spoke to President Putin. Our only intention is to take Indian citizens out as soon as possible,” he added.Earlier on the day, the ministry rejected claims by both Russia and Ukraine that Indian students are being held hostage in the besieged city of Kharkiv. “We have not received any report of any hostage situation regarding any student. We have requested the support of Ukrainian authorities in arranging special trains for taking out students from Kharkiv and neighbouring areas to the western part of the country,” Bagchi had said.