SHILLONG, Feb 24: As many as eight students from Meghalaya are currently stuck in Ukraine, facing an uncertain future, after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade its western neighbour on Thursday.
The eight students are pursuing their MBBS degree at the Zaporizhzhia State Medical University in eastern Ukraine.
Speaking with The Shillong Times through a WhatsApp voice call from Ukraine, Baphidahun L Mawlong, a first-year MBSS student at the University, said the place where they were holed up eastern Ukraine is around nine hours away from the national capital of Kyiv.
The 20-year-old student hail from Ladpnarrim village in Mairang, Eastern West Khasi Hills, and had joined the University in December last year after completed her class XII from St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong in 2020.
Baphidahun and seven other students – six from Shillong and one from Jakrem, South West Khasi Hills – are waiting to be rescued and brought back to India “We appeal to the Government of India and the state government to help us return home,” Baphidahun said over the phone, adding that the place which they were staying had not witnessed any military activity as yet.
Baphidahun mentioned that some of her friends had attempted to book air tickets out of Kyiv but could not do so since all the flights have been cancelled.
“A few of us have managed to book flights from Odessa (also in Ukraine) to New Delhi on February 27. We are now waiting for the confirmation of our flights,” she said.
“So far flights from Odessa have not been cancelled but we are not sure about tomorrow since we are hearing news about Russian troops planning to enter Ukraine through Odessa too, and if that is true, my flight to India on February 27 might get cancelled,” she said with apprehension.
Asked about the safety of the students, she said more than 50% of the students are still lodged inside the University campus.
Baphidahun also stated that the Indian Embassy in Kyiv has shared a phone number with them and asked them to call the Embassy if they need any kind of help.
“We are also getting regular updates on the escalating situation in Ukraine from the Embassy,” she said.
She admitted that it would be difficult for the Embassy officials to call each and everyone since there are around 20,000 Indians currently in Ukraine.
Baphidahun also said that the Indian Embassy had, earlier, issued an advisory to all Indian citizens and students to temporarily leave Ukraine in view of the increasing tension along the border.
Baphidahun’s father, Medes Rani, is visibly concerned over his youngest daughter’s safety in war-torn Ukraine.
“It is difficult for us to keep in touch with the authorities since we live in a village. We really don’t know how to bring our youngest daughter back. We can only appeal to the government to help our daughter return home safely,” Rani said.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has requested the Centre to intervene and take necessary steps for the safe return of Indian students from Ukraine.
“Received news about students from Meghalaya stranded in #Ukraine. Humbly request Hon’ble Union External Affairs Minister, @DrSJaishankar Ji to ensure the safe return of all Indian citizens. We are praying for everyone’s safety. May peace prevail,” the CM said in a tweet.
