Russia's invasion of Ukraine entered its 10th day on Saturday, 5 March.
The Russians have taken control of Kherson, are relentlessly bombing Kharkiv, and are poised to take over Kyiv. War naturally means the evacuation of non-combatants, and it's been an extremely tense week for Indian students in Ukraine, who have been trying to get back home. Today, The Quint spoke live to four such students, who managed to make it back.
The live stream was also joined by Arindrom Phukon, a student currently stuck in Sumy.
'Two Bomb Blasts in the Morning'
Arindrom Phukon, an Assamese student at Sumy State University, who is currently stranded in Sumy Oblast (in eastern Ukraine) with 800 other students, spoke to The Quint about the current situation in the hostel where is living.
"There were two bomb blasts in the morning, and we were told to go the bunkers."
Talking about the lack of efforts in the evacuation process, Phukon said that the students in Sumy are being given dates after dates, "but not a single evacuation has happened so far".
"The situation here is very uncertain, you never know what might happen next," he added.
Phukon also spoke about the lack of water supply and electric supply because a bomb blast destroyed the electricity plant and the thermal plant. Food supply was also critical because the stocks in the market were almost depleted.
When asked if he has anything to say to his chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Phukon sent an urgent appeal to him, stating that the chances of him turning into a casualty are also quite high.
'No Food and No Sleeping Blankets'
The Quint also spoke to four students who had safely made it back home from Ukraine.
Mohd Adnan Azhar, a 24-year-old student of Odessa National Medical University, who returned to India on 2 March, described the entire evacuation process from start to finish.
"We were so tensed that our internet, and our supplies, would get cut off," Adnan said.
"Everything was so terrifying, when we came out the war zone, we just felt so lucky," he added.
Keyur Karetiya, a medical student at the Dnipropetrovsk State Medical University in Ukraine, who managed to reach India just a day before Russia launched its assault on Ukraine, spoke about his brother's ordeal while trying to flee.
"My brother, along with his companions was stuck at the border for two to three days, with no food and no sleeping blankets."
Shivam Thakur, who is a student of Uzhhorod National Medical University, who returned to India on 2 March, said that the Modi government and the Indian Embassy in Ukraine had help him and his companions in the evacuation process.
Uzhhorod is in the western part of the country, where evacuations have been been possible, as opposed to Sumy, which is on the eastern side of the country.
Adnan also said that the government officials are working really hard on the border. "They are continuously working, but the manpower is really less."
Why Ukraine for Medicine Studies
The Quint also asked the students why they chose to go to Ukraine to study medicine. What are the things that make Ukraine an appealing prospect in this field?
In response to this, Ateequr Rahman, a student at Odessa National Medical University, who managed to return to India on 2 March said that the fees in India to study was just too high.
"Studying in India can cost up top one cross rupees, whereas in Ukraine, we can finish our program within 45 lakhs", Rahman said.
Karetiya also brought up the issue of reservations, claiming that despite scoring high marks, it's very difficult to get seats in India.
Adnan also agreed with respect to the lack of seats and the affordability issue, saying that Ukraine provided a similar education but for a much less cost.
"We just want to pursue our dream, so we chose a different country."
What About the Future?
When asked about what plans he has for the future, Karetiya said that if given the opportunity, he would most definitely study in India.
"Maybe we will have to go somewhere else, I don't know. All we want right now is this war to get over soon, and the Ukrainian government to provide us some answers regarding the future".
Adnan said that he hopes he can continue his studies in Ukraine.
"We know their system, we know how the university functions, we are familiar with the country. We are just hoping for the best."
The live concluded with a message from Adnan to all the students still stuck in Ukraine, in which he said, "stay confident, we are all praying for you safety and evacuation".
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