A MALAYSIAN still in Ukraine said he felt safe at the moment, despite hearing explosions and seeing fighters above the capital Kyiv, after Russia invaded the country yesterday.

James, 31, told The Malaysian Insight the situation appeared to be quite normal in Kyiv.

The businessman, who did not want to give his full name, said while there was a curfew, people were trying to go about living their normal lives.

He also said that he had seen fighter jets fly overhead and heard sounds of explosions.

He added that there were people packing their things and hiding in underground metro stations

“Traffic is also high on roads, heading towards Poland.

He said that the Ukrainian government had imposed a 10pm to 7am curfew for 30 days.

“There has been no lockdown imposed but people are just staying home and not going out unnecessarily.

“The Kyiv Metro service is operating 24 hours,” he said.

Photographs shared by James also gave a clearer picture on what the situation was like from his apartment.

“If you look at the picture, you can see cars are moving and people are doing their daily routine,” he said.

“I saw a couple of warplanes and only heard explosions.

“The planes could be either from the Russian or Ukrainian side,” he said.

Poland yesterday said it would open nine reception centres along its border with Ukraine in anticipation of an influx of refugees after Russia invaded the country.

However, James said that he felt safe and he had been in more dangerous and challenging places.

“I am a trained political scientist and specialist in international public law, hence my knowledge of understanding the situation is much better than most people out here.

“People get scared and panic because they don’t have information.

“If you have information or are well trained in this area, you make different decisions,” James, who has been living in Ukraine since 2011, said.

He added that the Malaysian embassy had reached out to him about evacuating.

Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “military operation” in Ukraine and called on soldiers there to lay down their arms, defying Western outrage and global appeals not to launch a war.

His statement came after the Kremlin said rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine had asked Moscow for military help against Kyiv.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said 11 Malaysians in Ukraine are being evacuated.

“The embassy is in contact with the Malaysians. Those outside Kyiv are making plans to leave. Those in Kyiv will gather at the embassy.

“Our priority is the safety of Malaysians,” he said.

Eight Malaysians are based in Kyiv, while the remaining three are outside the capital city. – February 25, 2022.