By Nikolas Petros Kaparti
Collateral "loss" of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for Cypriot students studying in Russia due to measures imposed by Moscow on social media, flights and banks in retaliation for the sanctions imposed by the EU. Cypriot students find themselves with "their backs against the wall", as they cannot receive money from their family to continue their studies as normal, while ways to communicate are limited.
In particular, despite the fact that parents of Cypriots studying in Russia transfer money to their children's bank accounts, the students cannot receive them due to the fact that they have been taken out of operation. [/B][/B]
A Cypriot medical student studying in Russia told the Cyprus Times[/B] that "one of the biggest problems we face is financial, because no one can transfer money to us through the banks. Our accounts are not working."
Asked to comment on whether there are students who have been left without money, he responded positively and commented that "there is a case that I know of, with a student who was left without money and she doesn't know what to do. She cannot withdraw money from her account."
In fact, as he informed us, not only Cypriot students but also their fellow students from other countries face this problem.
Communication
The financial problem is of course not the only one, as the Russians have blocked access to social media and parents are forced to communicate with their children studying in the country via SMS.
"Following the sanctions imposed by various countries on social media operating in the country, Moscow has taken countermeasures by blocking social media. This makes it difficult for us to communicate with the outside world," the medical student noted.
He explained that the only way for a student to regain access to social media is the VPN (virtual private network), for which a user has to pay a subscription fee.
VPN is a service that allows the user to bypass their actual location when surfing the internet and "place" themselves in another country, while giving the user protection over the private network.
In fact, following these developments, Russia is moving forward with creating its own social media, so as not to be dependent on US-controlled companies.
Blocked abroad
Beyond that, there is intense concern from students about how they will come to Cyprus once their exams are over, following Russia's decision to ban flights by airlines from 36 countries - including Cyprus - in retaliation for similar sanctions imposed by European Union member states on Moscow, banning Russian aircraft from flying in their airspace.
"How will we come to Cyprus in the summer? Will they charter flights to bring us to our country, as they did for the coronavirus? Some students' exams end in May and some in June. If something does not change immediately, we will all have many problems," the Cypriot student stressed.
"Cry of despair" from a student's father
His indignation about the current situation was also expressed by Sophocles Adamou, father of another student studying in Russia.
His indignation about the situation was also expressed by Sophocles Adamou, father of another student studying in Russia.
According to Mr Adamou, communication with his child is difficult, since the only way to get in touch is through text messages (SMS).
"We have a big problem with money as well. I put money in his account and he can't get it," he said."
"We are being mocked," he continued, "the bank is telling us that the money can't go; others are telling us to contact the embassy to help us. At the bank they told me to make a deposit and if they let him withdraw it in Russia, fine, otherwise we don't know how to send him money."
"Whatever money he had in his account he withdrew as soon as the war started and after the restrictions put in place by Putin... He took the money 15 days ago, paid his rent and now he is left with no money," he explained in conclusion.
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