Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Ukraine was a landmark event, being the first time an Indian leader set foot in the war-torn nation since diplomatic relations were established in 1992. However, for the team of Indian journalists assigned to cover this historic visit, the journey was fraught with challenges and unexpected hurdles.

The journey began with excitement, as the news of PM Modi’s visit was a significant assignment for the journalists. However, reaching Ukraine posed substantial difficulties due to the lack of operational air connectivity. With flights unavailable, the only viable options were train or bus travel. Given the difficulty in securing train tickets at the last minute, the decision was made to travel by bus, leading to a long and arduous journey of over 800 kilometers.

Traveling as the only female journalist among a group of Indian reporters, I faced a unique set of circumstances. The bus journey to Ukraine was especially complicated due to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s restriction on men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. As a result, the bus predominantly consisted of female passengers, with the only male travelers being the three Indian journalists.

The 20-hour bus ride was expected to take around 13 hours and 10 minutes, according to the online ticket information. However, the actual journey extended to over 20 hours, primarily due to delays at the border crossings. Our trip began at 9:15 pm from Warsaw West Bus Station, and the bus made several stops along the way, including for restroom breaks, which were challenging due to the high number of women needing to use the facilities.

At the Poland-Ukraine border, an officer collected our passports, and although we had a note verbale from the Ministry of External Affairs, the verification process was time-consuming. We received our passports back after an hour, only to face further delays at the Ukrainian border.

Upon crossing into Ukraine, the situation worsened. We were stopped again, and our passports were taken for further inspection. After a long wait on the bus, we were escorted to the office of Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service for more thorough document checks. The process was particularly frustrating as we faced extended delays and uncertainty about the required documentation.

Despite the challenges, there was a moment of relief when a fellow passenger assisted me by paying for the use of a washroom when I was unable to use Ukrainian currency. This act of kindness was a small but significant help during the stressful journey.

Upon reaching Kyiv, our primary task was to record pieces to camera (PTCs) for our assignment. Despite extreme fatigue from the long bus ride, it was crucial to capture footage to document our arrival in the city. This task was complicated by the need to avoid filming tired and unwilling passengers, making the process even more challenging on a moving bus.

Finally, around 8:30 am, we arrived in Kyiv, a city marked by its beauty and significance. With our journey at an end, the focus shifted to covering PM Modi’s historic visit. This visit was a milestone in Indo-Ukrainian relations, highlighting India's commitment to strengthening ties with Ukraine despite the complex geopolitical landscape.

The journey to cover PM Modi’s visit underscored the difficulties faced by journalists in conflict and restricted regions. Despite these challenges, the coverage provided valuable insights into the historic visit and the resilient spirit of the journalists who navigated numerous obstacles to report on this significant event.

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