SEPANG: Nine Malaysians with two dependents who were brought out of Kyiv, Ukraine have safely returned to the country today.

The group including Charge d'Affaires ad interim Fadhilah Daud, arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at about 3.06 pm via Qatar Airways flight QR0848.

The group was brought out from Kyiv, Ukraine to Poland on Feb 27 after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb 24 (Thursday) announced a special military operation in Donbas, east Ukraine and following that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared an emergency in the country.

Ukraine also announced the closure of air space for civil use due to the high risk of civil aviation.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah were present at KLIA to meet the nine Malaysians and the two dependents.

-- BERNAMA