War leaves Malaysian students in Russia worried

24 Feb 2022 11:38am

Aisyah Nursyaza Anuar, 24, student at Kursk State Medical University Aisyah Nursyaza

Ahmad Ashraff Haiqal Ahmad Zakki, 20, medical student at Volgograd State Medical University, Russia.

SHAH ALAM - As Russian troops invade Ukraine despite warnings from Europe and the US, Malaysia students in Russia are feeling the heat.

Aisyah Nursyaza Anuar, 24, with Kursk State Medical University for the past five years said she is concern over her safety.

“I am concerned over the escalating tension in the region.

“My family members have been in touch with me and are very much concern over my safety,” she told Sinar Harian.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into two separatist-held regions in eastern Ukraine in a military escalation that Western leaders have warned could lead to massive consequences for Moscow.

Putin signed the decrees ordering the troop deployment on February 21 after announcing his decision to recognise the independence of the two regions - Donetsk and Lugansk. - a move that was swiftly condemned by Western leaders fearful of major conflict on the European continent.

News reports say a large blast was heard in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv while at least two big explosions were heard in the city of Kramatorsk in the country’s eastern Donbas region earlier today.

Explosions were also reported in the cities of Kharkiv, Mariupol, Mykolaiv and Odessa.

However, Aisyah Nursyaza who is from Padang Temu, Melaka said the condition in Kusk is still under control and will remain in Russia for now.

“Everything still looks normal. I will remain in Russia and would like to finish my studies by June next year," she added.

However, if the war escalates she would have to return to Malaysia, added Aisyah Nursyaza.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Ashraff Haiqal Ahmad Zakki, 20, studying at Volgograd State Medical University, Russia said he is concerned over increasing tensions but said he has faith in the Malaysian embassy in Moscow.

He said the embassy would keep them updated.

“I feel safe but if the situation worsens, I will immediately leave for Malaysia," Ashraff said, adding that there are no instructions from the embassy to return home for now. He is from Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Asraff is in his third year doing medicine and is expected to complete his studies in 2025.