Day 142: Russia strikes Mykolayiv, British volunteer held by Russians dies

Russian strike on Mykolayiv hits two universities

Russian forces attacked Mykolayiv’s two largest universities. They fired at least 10 missiles, head of the Mykolayiv regional military organization Vitaliy Kim twitted. At least two people were wounded, rescue works are underway, mayor of Mykolayiv Oleksandr Senkevych said on Telegram.

“Russians struck Mykolayiv at 7:50 a.m. knowing that at this time of the day, the streets are already crowded. True terrorists,” he said.

British volunteer held by Russians dies

British volunteer Paul Urey held by the Russians in the occupied part of Donetsk region died, Russian sources said. Urey travelled to Ukraine to help those affected by Russia’s war. The Kremlin’s media said Paul Urey died July 10 because of his “diagnoses and stress”. Yet there are numerous reports of torture that Russians apply to their prisoners.

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Ending war by end of year is absolutely possible, Defense Minister

“Ending the war by the end of the year is a realistic goal, provided that our partners will continue to help us without ever doubting that they help the winner. Earlier they thought we will lose, and Kyiv will fall in three days, so they did not help us a lot, they only supported us,” Ukraine’s Defense Minister Reznikov said in an interview with BBC Ukrainian. “We need to synchronize our plans to counterattack with their assistance that is not just weapons, but also more serious sanctions against Russia. That is a serious worldwide project,” Reznikov said. Ending war by end of year is “absolutely possible,” he proceeded. 

“I can confirm that as a lawyer who is in touch with the military. Liberating the territories we controlled as of February 23, 2022 is an absolutely realistic plan even from the military standpoint,” the Minister added.

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Internationalization of higher education amid war: Ukrainian context. Ukraine in Flames #127

With the beginning of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western universities opened their doors to Ukrainians, creating new spots, and offering scholarships, free tuition, and housing for those Ukrainian students who were forced to flee their homes. 

Some universities accept applications from Ukrainian students even if the ordinary deadlines for international students have passed. Universities from around the globe demonstrate their solidarity with Ukrainу, making concerted efforts to support Ukrainian, students, educators, and scholars affected by the war. 

While Russia is deliberately destroying Ukrainian civil infrastructure, targeting schools and universities, some of them stop existing physically. Thanks to the solidarity of the world academic community, such students may continue their studies and research not only in Ukraine but also abroad, enrolling in exchange programs. With Russia willing to erase Ukrainian identity, education becomes another front to fight and preserve our history and culture.

During Russia’s unprecedented invasion of Ukraine, the academic community and educational institutions from all around the world keep standing with Ukraine. Watch Ukraine in Flames #127 to learn how the universities abroad support Ukrainian students in difficult times and how the war influenced the internalization of higher education.

Speakers:

  • Maksym Yakovlev, head of the Department of International Relations, Director at School for policy analysis at “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”
  • Serhiy Kvit, President of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine (2014-2016)
  • Mychailo Wynnyckyj, Associate Professor at “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, former Head of the Secretary at National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance