African students in Ukraine have been left stranded following the Russia-Ukraine conflict crisis. The conflict between the two countries intensified on Thursday 24 February, 2022 with about 40 soldiers and 10 civilians dead in Ukraine. The conflict goes back as far as February 2014 after Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine involving Russian, pro-Russian forces and Ukrainian forces. The buildup to this now highly intensified conflict started in the latter months of 2021 and saw an escalation early 2022, with pressure placed on the borders of Ukraine by Russian military forces.
Ukraine’s ambitions to align itself more with Western countries – including its publicly stated interest in joining NATO was met with aggression from Russia, hence the current conflict crisis.
Current Updates from Russia-Ukraine Conflict Crisis:
- Russian president Vladimir Putin launches an invasion on Ukraine
- 137 Ukrainian citizens reportedly killed with over 300 injured
- Six Russian warplanes destroyed
- 100,000 people displaced
- Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy declares martial law
- Says there will be weapons provided for the citizens to use to protect themselves
With essential services almost coming to an abrupt halt, we spoke to some African students in Ukraine on February 17, 2022, addressing any risen conflict threats:
African students in Ukraine were in a state of confusion and panic; even anticipating a cut in internet connection as the crisis progress. Back home, Africans are urging governments to run an evacuation of students from Ukraine.
African students make up about 20% of Ukraine’s international student populace, studying in different cities in the country.
Video of Ghanaian Students Stranded In Ukraine Goes Viral on Social Media
On February 25, 2022, some Ghanaian students stranded in Ukraine were seen in an underground shelter in a video that went viral on social media. Ghanaians have called on the government to evacuate these students back home or into neighbouring countries of Ukraine.
On February 24, 2022, the National Union of Ghana Students Ukraine conducted a State of the Union Address on Ukraine-Russia Crisis, officiated by Mr. Philip Bobbie-Ansah at 19:00EET live on their Facebook page “NUGS UKRAINE” and via Zoom (Meeting ID: 354 923 3954).
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