Today, Rector of KU prof. dr. Artūras Razbadauskas received a letter from the head of the University of La Rochelle, partner of the EU-CONEXUS alliance, expressing support for Ukraine and its people. Colleagues from the EU-CONEXUS Alliance who are concerned about the security of the communities closest to the war zone – KU and the Technical University of Civil University Bucharest – are asking what they could do to help solve the problems caused by the war.
“We are grateful to everyone – both to the people and to the institutions that have been moved by the plight of the people of Ukraine and who are asking about or simply do something to help the young people from the attacked country studying at our University. We have 40 of them, mostly coming from Kherson, which is under attack of the Russian army. Today they, as members of our community, need both moral and material support. We help them ourselves, and we are grateful for any outside support,” says KU Rector prof. dr. Artūras Razbadauskas.
Providing meals and bus passes
After the military invasion of Ukraine, the young people left without parental support have to take care not only of their studies, but also of issues related to living in Lithuania. The University administration has received applications for free accommodation in dormitories and free meals. 17 students from Ukraine were exempt from the fee for accomodation in dormitories for 3 months. The ones who applied for free meals will have free lunch at the UAB Jogundė Café in the KU campus. The money was pooled by the University and the owners of the café.
Public Institution Klaipėda Passenger Transport today reported being ready to provide KU students from Ukraine with free annual bus passes for local transport. Andrius Samuilovas, the Acting Director of the institution, made a short comment: “Slava Ukraini!”
More than € 1,000 have already been transferred to a specially opened account to support Ukrainian students at Klaipėda University and, if necessary, their families. For those who want to donate, we announce the account number: LT687300010129229701 (AB Swedbank), the recipient is Klaipėda University. In the purpose of payment, please enter “Support for Ukrainians”.
Moreover, a Shrovetide (Mardi Gras) event took place in the KU Botanical Garden today – all the ticket proceeds will be transferred to this account.
Disturbing news from the members of the community staying in Ukraine
The statement of support for the struggling Ukraine was distributed today by the Council of the Institute of Baltic Region History and Archeology (BRIAI). The document, signed by the Chair of the Council dr. Silva Pocytė, stated: “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues, with peaceful civilians being killed and civilian objects being under the enemy’s fire and bombs. For us, the tragedy in Ukraine is a personal experience also because we have students from Ukraine studying at the Institute of Baltic Region History and Archeology of Klaipėda University; a member of its academic staff historian dr. Artiom Petryk, like several students of ours, is currently in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, surrounded by Russian forces and under attack. The community of the Institute supports the Ukrainian people in the fight against the aggressor and condemns Russia for its military aggression. We call on everyone to provide struggling Ukraine not only with moral but also material support. We, the historians and archaeologists of the Institute, understand and emphasise the long-term consequences of this senseless and unprovoked war, both for Ukraine and its people and for the whole world and Lithuania. Glory to Ukraine!”
The Institute community is following the situation in this city from the letters of a student staying in Kherson. The letter of this morning says: “Our situation, both general and material, is getting worse. The Kherson offensive began at night, and residential houses were bombed. The enemy are already in town. The Mayor instructed people not to leave homes. The city is surrounded. It is not possible to enter or leave it. We hear unceasing shots and explosions.” The head and colleagues of KU are sometimes contacted by historian of the Institute, dr. Artiom Petryk. His message was: “Still alive.”
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