Evacuation of Ukrainians: 354 people returned from New York to Kiev
'27.03.2020'
Source: ukr.embassy.usa
UIA’s first special flight to evacuate Ukrainians from the United States on March 26 flew from New York to Kiev. This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States on the agency’s page in Facebook.
The first special flight
"We did it! 354 passengers on board. UIA’s first special commercial flight flew from New York to Kiev to deliver our citizens to their homeland, ”the statement said.
This plane also managed to send 39 children who studied in the USA under the FLEX program, and two Ukrainian veterans who underwent rehabilitation in the USA due to vision loss.
To organize the return of people home, Ukrainian diplomats and consuls to the USA, coordinated their efforts, worked around the clock, the embassy’s press service noted.
The embassy also thanked Ukraine’s International Airlines “for their joint work and the opportunity to make a special flight across the Atlantic.”
On the subject: Part of the streets of New York will be closed for cars in connection with quarantine: list
Representatives of the embassy also expressed gratitude “for understanding and endurance” to passengers who “promptly reacted to the situation, bought tickets and traveled from different parts of the USA to New York”.
As reported by Voice of America on Twitter, UIA’s special flight en route New York – Kiev flew according to schedule. Each of the passengers was provided with masks during the flight and upon arrival.
From New York to Kiev Vilitsa, the first of two special races, a kind of transport of Ukrainians, who couldn’t be able to turn to Ukraine before 16 birch trees.
The woman Mila Shchepina knew the video, she was instantly in blue and kitsky, she went from Chicago to New York every year, and at a time she went on board aboard the plane. pic.twitter.com/r92tjKgyGX
- Voice of America (@chastime) March 26, 2020
Recall: earlier, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky said that after closing the borders, Ukrainians will be exported gradually. Ukrainians delivered by special flight are people who did not manage to return to their homeland until March 16, that is, after the border was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
When will the second special flight take place
The second special flight to ensure the return of Ukrainians home from the United States should take place this Saturday, March 28. However, there are “still questions” regarding this flight. This was stated by Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Volodymyr Yelchenko during a briefing on Thursday, March 26. According to him, the embassy is now working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to ensure that this flight takes place. About it on your website writes the Voice of America.
“This flight comes just at the time when they announced the complete cessation of aviation communications with Ukraine. More than 350 citizens bought tickets for this aircraft, the ambassador said. - We have already addressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmitry Kuleba. In my opinion, we must take measures not to stop this flight. ”
Recall: President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky said that from March 27, the Ukrainian border will be completely closed - both for foreigners and for citizens of the country.
