In connection with the serious deterioration of the security situation in Ukraine last night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration called on the citizens of the Republic of Moldova not to travel to the neighboring country and to leave the territory of this state immediately if they are in Ukraine on a temporary basis, IPN reports.

The Ministry ordered to urgently evacuate the family members and unessential personnel of Moldova’s Embassy in Kiev and the Consular Office in Odessa. “The consular team is operational and provides assistance and consular protection to the citizens who are on the territory of Ukraine,” says the Ministry’s message.

The Ministry recommends regularly examining the travel alerts issued by it, including on its Telegram channel, or contacting Moldova’s Embassy in Kiev, the Consular Office in Odessa or the Ministry’s Call Center. The emergency hotlines of the diplomatic missions are available round-the-clock (24/7): Kiev: +38 068 384 2016 or the email address: kiev@mfa.gov.md, Odessa: +380 99 242 0835 or the email address: odesa@mfa.gov.md.

The Ministry’s Call Center can be contacted on 0 80 090 990 (free from landline from any locality of the Republic of Moldova) or on +373 22 23 20 02 (including from abroad), or through email: call.center@mfa.gov.md.

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin in the morning of February 24 announced a military operation in Donbas. Immediately after his announcement, explosions stated to be heard in the Ukrainian cities of Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa and in the east of the country.