Ukraine: Irish student makes fresh escape attempt

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, was among hundreds of international students in the city close to Ukraine's border with Russia.

Sumy has been under attack by Russia since its invasion started last month.

Racheal told BBC News NI she had been mentally "blocking out" the dangers she faced.

It is understood she left Sumy on Monday after she was picked up by two Scottish men attempting a rescue who her family had been in contact with.

Her sister, Christiana, said she had passed safely through a number of checkpoints and was staying overnight at a "safe stopover location" before a curfew begins.

"The relief just knowing that they're safe and sheltered," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

"We're hoping for the best now."

A previous rescue effort failed on Sunday when a minivan used by the men was targeted by "warning shots" from Russian forces as they tried to enter Sumy, Racheal said.

However, they managed to reach an agreed pick-up location on Monday morning.

Change of plans

On Monday night, Racheal said that the group planned to head for Moldova on Tuesday.

"Hopefully we'll be able to get to the border and find our way through, and get home soon," she said in a video, posted on Twitter.

Earlier, she had 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."

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 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".

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.

"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.

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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 had been "an out-of-body experience" to know there is such danger outside.

"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 any more."

Russian 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".

"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.

'I haven't lost hope'

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," she said.

"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."

Ms Diyaolu's family have been calling for more help from the Irish government to bring the 19-year-old home.

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".