Turkish nationals evacuated from Ukraine happy to return home

EDIRNE, Turkiye

Turkiye continues to evacuate Turkish nationals from Ukraine amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Turkish nationals who were evacuated from Ukraine with the coordination of Foreign Ministry officials facilitating their transit through Romania and Bulgaria, continue to enter Turkiye through the Hamzabeyli Border Gate in the northwestern Edirne province.

Arriving in Turkiye after long travels, citizens are in peace and joy.

Waking up to sounds of bombs as war hits country

Oguz Yuksektas, one of the Turkish nationals, told Anadolu Agency that Ukraine is getting through a difficult time.

Saying that explosions started to occur in cities after Russia's attacks, Yuksektas added that he took refuge in a shelter with his family.

He said they woke up to the sound of bombs on the night the war erupted, while they initially thought that something would happen in the eastern regions in the country, but were surprised when they heard the sounds around where they live.

He also expressed happiness that they arrived in Turkiye safely.

Yuksektas said they were under great stress until they left Ukraine, adding: “We traveled for 14 hours, on the route we would normally take in 6-7 hours, and we waited for many hours at the border. We were relieved when we reached our hometown. Our family and loved ones were worried about us.”

Meanwhile, another citizen Caner Acemogullari said he came to Turkiye for the safety of his wife and children.

"We woke up early to take the children to school on the first day of the attacks and heard that 16 airports were bombed. Our house is also very close to the airport. Then, we started to panic.”

He went on to say: “Everyone rushed to markets, pharmacies, and gas stations. Soon after, a state of emergency and mobilization were declared.

"Turkiye is the country where we were born and grew up. After leaving Ukraine, Turkish officials were very helpful at the borders. We were welcomed everywhere.”

Since Russia's war on Ukraine began last Thursday, it has been met by outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK, Canada, Japan, and the US implementing a range of economic sanctions on Moscow.

At least 136 civilians, including 13 children, have been killed and 400 others, including 26 children, injured in Ukraine, according to UN figures.

Nearly 680,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the international body said on Tuesday.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan in Istanbul.