Tens of thousands of Nigerian, Ghanaian, Iraqis, Algerian, Indian and other foreign students studying abroad in Ukraine are desperately calling for support from their governments as Russia’s invasion escalates.
At least two students — one from India and another from Algeria — have been killed in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which witnessed some of the heaviest shelling on Monday.
India’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Arindam Bagchi, said in a tweet: “With profound sorrow we confirm that an Indian student lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv this morning. The Ministry is in touch with his family.”
Bagchi added that the Indian foreign secretary is calling on the ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to help ensure “urgent safe passage for Indian nationals” stuck in Kharkiv and other conflict areas in Ukraine.
Other students claim they have been abandoned by their home countries and that they have not been offered help, with relatives of those stranded in Ukraine heading to local embassies to demand support.
An estimated 10,000 students from across the Arab world are enrolled at Ukrainian universities, and African students reportedly make up 20 percent of international students. Many are attracted to Ukraine for its affordable education, while others choose Europe as a haven away from violence and troubles playing out at home.
The official website for international students studying in Ukraine could not be accessed by Post reporters as of Monday morning. An error message said the site was “unreachable.”
Stranded Indian students have issued desperate appeals on social media for help in being evacuated, as the government steps up efforts to bring them back via neighboring countries such as Romania and Hungary.
Dozens of students, often on foot, have walked to the borders in snow without much food and water. So far, at least six evacuation flights have brought back hundreds of students.
But for those stranded in the eastern part of the country where fighting has intensified, there is currently no way out.
On Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine advised all its citizens, including students, to leave Kyiv urgently by train or any other means.
According to the Indian Embassy in Kyiv, about 18,000 Indian students are enrolled in Ukrainian universities, primarily studying medicine.
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