Indian students in Ukraine are currently facing the wrath of locals as the war with Russia rages on. The students have disclosed that Ukrainians are becoming increasingly hostile towards them.
Local Resentment
The difficulties for Indian students seeking medical degrees in war-torn Ukraine show no signs of abating, as they face growing animosity from locals who see India as aiding Russia in the continuing conflict. The situation has deteriorated since Ukraine launched its latest offensive operations in June.
As per the reports, local residents have been pressuring Indian students to leave the nation, worsening their already precarious situation. Despite these hurdles, their requests to Indian state governments and the national authorities for transfer to institutions in other countries have gone unanswered.
Since Ukraine launched its most recent counteroffensive operations in June, tensions have risen. “Locals are asking them to leave the country. It’s got worse in the last eight weeks or so,” a student told media sources.
Given the current crisis, the local sentiment has shifted increasingly against Indian students. “Local residents in Ukraine say, ‘You Indians are good friends with Russia’ [...] They want us to leave their country,” another student said.
'Go back': Indian students face anger in Ukraine over India-Russia ties
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) August 21, 2023
"Local residents in Ukraine say, 'You Indians are good friends with Russia'. They want us to leave their country"
"Sometimes shopkeepers don't sell things to us. We face the same thing in our hostel."… pic.twitter.com/tmQ5BvSLlr
According to sources, living conditions have deteriorated, with students frequently feeling alone and facing challenges in daily life. “Sometimes shopkeepers don’t sell things to us. We face the same thing in our hostel. The staff behave rudely with us,” shared one student.
Another student alleged that the difficulties apply to basic requirements such as electricity, water supply and kitchen access. “Sometimes, water is not available or the electricity goes out, or both. Sometimes the kitchen doesn’t open. How will we survive? We are stuck here because we have no other option.”
Additionally, students are terrified whenever a siren rings. “We live in constant fear... We are pleading with our government to allow us to transfer to any other university in any other country. We are not demanding any money from anyone,” a student emphasised.
Indian Students in Ukraine
In 2022, almost 18,000 students were evacuated from Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion. Many hoped they could pursue their education at Indian or other foreign colleges.
Unfazed by the dangers, over 3,400 students reportedly went back to Ukraine to finish their degrees beginning in January 2023.
A student from Madhya Pradesh currently enrolled at a university in Ukraine told the Times of India, “As per National Medical Council (NMC) guidelines, students who are studying abroad after December 2021 cannot transfer to any other university. This is why I and many other students had to come back here.”
Reports reveal that concerned students are constantly writing to their respective state governments and the Centre, expressing their desire to complete medical studies in other countries.