This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60638895

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ukraine: Irish medical student 'blocking out dangers' in Sumy Ukraine: Irish student makes fresh escape attempt
(about 2 hours later)
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Racheal Diyaolu has been taking cover in her university's bunker since the Russian invasionRacheal Diyaolu has been taking cover in her university's bunker since the Russian invasion
An Irish medical student who has been unable to leave Ukraine has said she is mentally "blocking out" the danger posed by airstrikes and shelling. An Irish medical student is attempting to leave Ukraine after sheltering for days from airstrikes and shelling in the eastern town of Sumy.
Racheal Diyaolu, who is 19 and from Carlow, is one of hundreds of international students who have been studying in Sumy, a city close to Ukraine's border with Russia. Racheal Diyaolu, who is 19 and from Carlow, was among hundreds of international students in the city close to Ukraine's border with Russia.
The city has been attacked by Russia since its invasion last week. Sumy has been under attack by Russia since its invasion started last month.
On Monday, Racheal was picked up in a fresh attempt to leave the country. Racheal told BBC News NI she had been mentally "blocking out" the dangers she faced.
A move to get her out of the city in a minivan by two British men on Sunday failed after the vehicle came under fire with "warning shots" by Russian forces, Racheal said. On Monday, she was picked up by two Scottish men her family had been in contact with in a fresh attempt to leave the country.
On Monday morning, her sister Christiana tweeted that they had managed to reach Racheal. A previous rescue effort failed on Sunday when a minivan used by the men came under fire with "warning shots" fired by Russian forces as they tried to enter Sumy, Racheal said.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs told BBC News NI it was aware of 52 Irish citizens remaining in Ukraine. However, they managed to reach an agreed pick-up location on Monday morning.
'High spirits'
Racheal told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme they hoped to travel in the direction of Poland, a journey which could take up to 20 hours.
She was not sure if they could make use of humanitarian corridors.
"I have left behind lots of friends who are still stuck there and still looking for ways to get out, and most of my belongings as well," she explained.
"I'm fine, just trying to stay in high spirits and keep positive that we'll make it to Poland."
Racheal's sister Christiana said the Scottish men had their phones seized during the attack on Sunday before being told to turn back.
"Luckily they were able to find an alternative route into Sumy and stayed there overnight and then continued their mission this morning," she added.
Racheal has been studying in Ukraine since NovemberRacheal has been studying in Ukraine since November
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs told BBC News NI it was aware of 52 Irish citizens remaining in Ukraine.
On Sunday, UN monitors said 364 civilian deaths had been confirmed in Ukraine since the invasion began on 24 February, but the real figure was likely to be "considerably higher".On Sunday, UN monitors said 364 civilian deaths had been confirmed in Ukraine since the invasion began on 24 February, but the real figure was likely to be "considerably higher".
Ms Diyaolu, who arrived in the country from the Republic of Ireland for her studies last November, said she was aware of two other Irish students in the same situation. Ms Diyaolu arrived in the country from the Republic of Ireland for her studies last November.
Since the invasion started, she has been taking cover in her university's bunker when air raid sirens have sounded.Since the invasion started, she has been taking cover in her university's bunker when air raid sirens have sounded.
"Someone will come and knock on your door on all the floors to let them know that it's time to go down and take cover, bring your essentials and your documents," she told BBC News NI. "Someone will come and knock on your door on all the floors to let them know that it's time to go down and take cover, bring your essentials and your documents," she told BBC News NI before her latest attempt to leave Sumy.
The Ukrainian deputy prime minister has said Russia is striking civilian targets in Ukraine, including hospitals, nurseries, and schools.The Ukrainian deputy prime minister has said Russia is striking civilian targets in Ukraine, including hospitals, nurseries, and schools.
War in Ukraine: More coverageWar in Ukraine: More coverage
LIVE: Latest updates from on the groundLIVE: Latest updates from on the ground
IN KYIV: Locals fear another Grozny or AleppoIN KYIV: Locals fear another Grozny or Aleppo
ANALYSIS: Europe finally steps upANALYSIS: Europe finally steps up
EXPLAINED: Why Putin has invaded Ukraine?EXPLAINED: Why Putin has invaded Ukraine?
IN DEPTH: Full coverage of the conflictIN DEPTH: Full coverage of the conflict
At the beginning of the invasion, Russian tanks and troops poured into Ukraine at points along its borders including northern regions such as Sumy.At the beginning of the invasion, Russian tanks and troops poured into Ukraine at points along its borders including northern regions such as Sumy.
Ms Diyaolu said it is "an out-of-body experience" to know there is such danger outside. Ms Diyaolu said it had been "an out-of-body experience" to know there is such danger outside.
'Stay calm'
"I've had to train my mind to block out the fact that this is incoming danger," she told BBC News NI."I've had to train my mind to block out the fact that this is incoming danger," she told BBC News NI.
"It does happen so frequently at this point that you kind of don't have time to be afraid anymore." "It does happen so frequently at this point that you kind of don't have time to be afraid any more."
Russian forces have been heavily shelling towns outside the capital of KyivRussian forces have been heavily shelling towns outside the capital of Kyiv
The student said things had become quite difficult in Sumy, "especially for people who are trying to get out".The student said things had become quite difficult in Sumy, "especially for people who are trying to get out".
She added: "It's been quite hard going, we've had a lot of air strike threats, we've had quite a few bombs being dropped. "It's been quite hard going, we've had a lot of air strike threats, we've had quite a few bombs being dropped," she said.
"Most recently a bomb was dropped at a substation which kind of shut off the electricity and the heating for a lot of areas around Sumy."
Ms Diyaolu said this bomb, which happened on Friday, had made it difficult to cook and also charge phones to let family at home "know we're ok".
'I haven't lost hope''I haven't lost hope'
The medical student said she would still "hold onto hope" that she will be able to leave, in particular to reassure her family at home. The medical student said she had tried to "hold on to hope" that she would be able to get home.
"It's especially hard on my mother, she's just worried to death all day every day, trying to get in contact with me, making sure that I'm ok," she explained. "It's especially hard on my mother, she's just worried to death all day every day, trying to get in contact with me," she said.
"The best thing I can do is stay calm when I am talking to her, letting her know that I'm ok. "The best thing I can do is stay calm when I am talking to her, letting her know that I'm OK.
"I know that I'm in a scary situation and in a dangerous area, but letting her know that I'm ok, mentally and physically, and that my mind is with them at home and my mind is focused on staying safe and trying to find ways to get out." "I know that I'm in a scary situation and in a dangerous area, but letting her know that I'm OK, mentally and physically, and that my mind is with them at home and my mind is focused on staying safe and trying to find ways to get out."
Ms Diyaolu's family have been calling for more help from the Irish government to bring the 19-year-old home.Ms Diyaolu's family have been calling for more help from the Irish government to bring the 19-year-old home.
On Sunday, her sister Christiana tweeted Ireland's taoiseach (prime minister), tánaiste and foreign affairs minister to question why there had been no improvement in her situation. Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said it could not comment on specific cases, but confirmed it was in contact with Irish citizens in Ukraine.
From hopefulness to hopelessness in a matter of minutes. I wouldn’t wish this nightmare on my worst enemy, honest to God. There’s still hundreds of students trapped in Sumy, 3 of them 🇮🇪. It’s been 10 days.. no improvements?? @dfatirl @simoncoveney @LeoVaradkar @MichealMartinTD
Referencing the failed rescue attempt, Christiana said it had turned from "hopefulness to hopelessness in a matter of minutes".
In a statement to BBC News NI, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said it could not comment on specific cases, but confirmed it was in contact with Irish citizens in Ukraine.
It has advised people to "shelter in a secure place" or, if it is safe to do so, to "consider leaving Ukraine, depending on their location and prevailing circumstances".It has advised people to "shelter in a secure place" or, if it is safe to do so, to "consider leaving Ukraine, depending on their location and prevailing circumstances".
Ms Diyaolu said all she wanted was to "get home safely" and she was "begging" politicians to help.
"We're all young people who just want to keep on living life so if there's anything they can do we would really appreciate it," she said.