PM Modi speaks to Vladimir Putin, discusses safe evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine

Both of the leaders reviewed the situation in Ukraine, especially in the city of Kharkiv.

They discussed the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from the conflict areas.

This comes as India on Wednesday abstained from voting against Russia on a UN General Assembly resolution that strongly disapproved Moscow's "aggression against Ukraine", the third abstention by Delhi in less than a week.

The resolution was adopted at UNGA with 141 votes in favour, five member states voting against it and 35 abstentions.

In a statement, India's ambassador to UN TS Tirumurti said India has decided to abstain in view of the "totality of the evolving situation".

"We demand safe and uninterrupted passage for all Indian nationals, including our students, who are still stranded in Ukraine, particularly from Kharkiv and other cities in the conflict zones... this remains our foremost priority," the statement added.

More than 9,000 students have been flown back as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, but tens of thousands remain in cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv, waiting for a chance to escape while hiding in bunkers, underground metro stations and basements.

Meanwhile, a senior government official earlier told NDTV that a "lot of background negotiations with Russians have been going on. Now they, in fact, are helping us in evacuation".

On Tuesday, a 21-year-old Indian student, identified as Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagowdar, was killed in Russian shelling in Ukraine's Kharkiv.

A special Indian Air Force flight brought back another 240 students from Budapest to the Hindon base on Wednesday.