Indian chess player stuck in Ukraine, says situation scary

Alone in his apartment and every bit scared, former Indian national rapid chess champion Anwesh Upadhyaya is one among the several of his compatriots stuck in Ukraine amid a Russian invasion and is desperately hoping to be evacuated from the country which has been his home since 2012.

The 30-year old, who is doing an apprenticeship in gastroenterology at a Kyiv hospital, had planned to return to India in March. But with Russia launching military operations on Thursday, flights have been suspended and he is unsure of what is in store.

“Did not expect this intensification. It is a fullscale military invasion. Never imagined this,” the 2017 national rapid chess champion told from Kyiv.

“I actually did manage to buy the essentials as the local news suggested a week ago. So with that I am good. I am more worried if the war comes into residential areas. There are always collateral damages,” he said.

Upadhyaya said he had tried to leave Ukraine earlier but could not get flight tickets, adding that he obtained permission from his bosses to leave once the tensions escalated and it became clear that a confrontation was on the cards.

“Yes, I am hoping for this madness to end and awaiting instructions from our embassy.” “I am hearing distant explosions,” he signed off, sitting in faraway Kyiv, hoping for better times. — (Agencies)