New Delhi: India today confirmed that it had brought back 6,400 of its nationals from crisis-hit Ukraine, days after Russia ordered its troops into the region. A total of 18,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine so far, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

The Ministry however said: “We estimate that a few hundred Indians are still in Kharkiv despite our advisory.” Two Indians died in Ukraine are completely under different circumstances. We have contacted the Ukrainian Embassy and are putting efforts to bring Naveen’s dead body back to India, MEA said.

“We are in touch with all countries particularly Ukraine and Russia at various levels. Our only intention is to take Indian citizens out as soon as possible.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday and discussed the situation in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, where over a thousand Indian students are stranded.

Kharkiv is virtually under Russian control and the girl students have already been sent on their way to Ukraine’s western border by train — a 20-hour journey — with the help of Russians.

Meanwhile, India today rejected contentions by both Russia and Ukraine that Indian nationals are being held hostage at Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine and said it has asked Ukrainian authorities to arrange special trains to take out its citizens from the besieged city.