How we are preparing for possible Russian invasion – Nigerian Students in Ukraine tell Neusroom
Amid spiralling tensions across the world over the crisis between Ukraine and Russia, and the fear of possible war, some Nigerian students in Ukraine have told Neusroom how they are handling the situation.
While some believe there’s no cause for alarm, others are considering moving to neighbouring countries like Poland or returning to Nigeria after the US warned on Friday, February 11, 2022, that Russia could invade Ukraine “at any time”, asking American citizens to leave Ukraine immediately.
The UK government has also told British nationals in Ukraine to leave the country while commercial means are still available.
Ukraine is home to thousands of Nigerian students. It is also a top choice for Nigerian medical students. In January 2022, the Country Representative of Ukrainian universities in Nigeria, Dr Cliff Ogbeide, said that over 12,000 Nigerians are studying in Ukrainian universities. Neusroom could not immediately confirm this claim.
A British-Nigerian student, who does not want her name mentioned, told Neusroom that the British government had sent emails to its nationals, asking them to leave with commercial means because evacuation won’t be provided.
“I’m a British citizen, and I’m in constant contact with my embassy. I went as far as having a meeting on Microsoft teams with our Ambassador. They’re aware of every person here and are in constant contact,” she said.
Although Nigeria has not directed its nationals to leave Ukraine, some students said they are considering leaving the country.
A final year medicine student at the Danylo Halytsky National Medical University, Ukraine, who preferred to be identified simply as Eniola, told Neusroom that “students are just left with the information they’re getting online. No school has reached out or given any information. It’s almost like they’re also clueless.”
Eniola confirmed to Neusroom that the Nigerian Embassy sent a link to students to fill a form, “which may be in case of an emergency evacuation, but they are also not giving us enough information. So we’re literally on our own.”
Neusroom also saw a circular dated January 26, 2022, issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine.
The circular read: “In view of the current developments in Ukraine, all Nigerians resident in Ukraine and environs, including students, and their relations in Nigeria, are hereby advised to contact the Embassy of Nigeria in Kiev, Ukraine, for matters pertaining to enquiries, consular and welfare requests and emergencies on: “+380632353417; +380631954965; +380442597767; +380442581854; +380442599942; and/or [email protected]; as well as: Nigeriaklevélyahoo.com”
Joseph, who is also a Nigerian student in Ukraine, told Neusroom that the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine had advised Nigerian nationals to constantly move around with proper identification after it issued a circular asking them to be on the alert in case the war eventually breaks out.
“Most informed students have been aware of the news since last month,” Joseph said. “Most students I know are also following the news closely so as not to be caught by surprise if things go sideways. We’re all hoping a diplomatic solution can still be reached between Russia, Ukraine and EU/NATO.”
He added that with the increasing tension and warnings from the US that Russia may launch an attack on February 16, “some students I know are already considering plans to take if Russia decides to invade. The plans include searching on google for bomb shelters, moving to neighbouring countries like Poland, if possible, or just finding the money to move back to Nigeria. But we all hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“I do not have an iota of fear or anxiety. I also do not have any plans to move out,” Timothy Odia, who just arrived in Ukraine for his medical study, told Neusroom on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
He added that a few people he knows are also not worried about the situation.
Asked why he sounded so confident, Odia said, “giving in to fear or anxiety is of no benefit. I have learnt not to worry myself over things I have little control over.”
Contrary to tensions mounting across the world and his country of origin – Nigeria, he said, “people over here carry out their daily routine as usual. There is no sign of panic in the city. Everything is going on normally.”
What is the tension about?
There has been a cold war between Russia and Ukraine since 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula. Since then, Ukraine’s military has been engaged in a war with Russian-backed rebels in eastern areas near Russia’s borders. According to the New York Times, the war has led to the death of more than 13,000 people since 2014.
The current tension was heightened by Ukraine’s interest to join NATO, a military alliance established in 1949 by the United States, Canada, France, the UK, and eight other European countries. It presently has 30 member nations.
The annexation of Crimea and the Russian-backed violence in the east strengthen Ukraine’s interest in joining NATO and the EU. In January 2021, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to Joe Biden, US president, for Ukraine to join NATO.
“Membership with NATO would significantly increase Ukraine’s international military backing, allowing for NATO military action within Ukraine and alongside members of its military. This guarantee of military might would act as a firm deterrent to Russian aggression,” Alastair Kocho-Williams, a Professor of History at Clarkson University, wrote in The Conversation.
NATO’s traditional principle, also known as Article 5, is “collective defence.” This means an attack on one or more members is considered an attack on all members. Russia sees this move as a direct threat to its influence in Eastern Europe.
What does Russia want?
Russia President Vladimir Putin has asked the US and its allies to halt all military activity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
“If Ukraine joins NATO and attempts to bring Crimea back by military means, the European countries will be automatically pulled into a war conflict with Russia?” Vladimir Putin said after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, February 7, 2022. “Of course, Russia and NATO potentials are incomparable. But we also understand that Russia is one of the leading nuclear states. There will be no winners, and you will be pulled into this conflict against your will.”
He added: “You won’t even have time to blink your eye when you execute Article 5.”
Accusations and Denials
The US claimed Russia has all the forces in place to launch military action against Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly denied any plans to invade Ukraine despite massing more than 100,000 troops at the border.
The US warned on February 11 that Putin could attack Ukraine as early as February 16, having closed in on Ukraine with land, sea and air forces on three sides.
This development increases tension across the world, prompting the US, UK, Belgium, the European Union and other countries to issue advisory asking their nationals to start leaving Ukraine.
