‘Ready to Help Its Own and Friends’: Ukraine’s Intel Evacuates 176 Amid Israel–Iran Escalation

The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR), together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized the evacuation of 176 people from Israel, including 133 Ukrainian citizens as well as nationals of Moldova, Latvia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, and the United States, the HUR press service reported on June 23. The operation took place the day before.

“The plane carrying the evacuees successfully landed in the Republic of Moldova. From there, Ukrainian citizens will continue their journey home,” the statement said. HUR also expressed gratitude to Moldovan officials for their assistance in carrying out the evacuation.

Thanks to complex, multi-stage evacuation missions, hundreds of Ukrainians and foreign nationals, including women and children, have been safely brought home.

Ukraine stands ready to help its own wherever they face difficult circumstances, and is also prepared to assist its friends, HUR said.

According to HUR, this evacuation is part of broader efforts to return Ukrainian citizens amid escalating threats in the region. Earlier, on June 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine advised citizens to leave Israel and Iran as soon as possible due to a significant deterioration in the security situation. Ukrainian embassies in both countries began compiling evacuation lists at that time.

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An evacuee from the Kyiv region related their experience:

“We were vacationing in Tel Aviv to take a short break from the war, but instead found ourselves in another nightmare — explosions, attacks. I went to the embassy’s website and submitted an evacuation request.

“Just a few days later, we’re on our way back to Ukraine. I’m deeply thankful to everyone involved: our President Mr. Zelensky, the embassy, and the Main Intelligence Directorate.”

HUR added that anyone seeking assistance from the government should contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel at (+972) 54 667 67 82 or by email. The 24/7 hot line of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is also available at +38-044-238-16-57.

This took place amid ongoing airstrikes on Iranian territory, which Israel began on June 13, targeting nuclear, military, and energy facilities. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel. Israel stated that the strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Earlier, the HUR, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, successfully evacuated Ukrainians from Syria and Lebanon.