Great news.
Racheal Diyaolu, an Irish student who has been stuck in conflict-stricken Ukraine, has safely made it to an EU border.
The 19-year-old Carlow woman was among a number of international students who were attempting to leave the country amid the Russian invasion.
A previous mission intended to rescue Diyaolu over the weekend failed after Russian troops shot at the rescue mission van.
A second mission got underway earlier this week.
Thankfully, Diyaolu has seemingly made it to safety as of Wednesday afternoon (9 March).
Taking to Twitter, her sister Christiana shared the good news.
She wrote: “Update – they’ve made it to an EU border.
“I could shout it from the hills. They have made it to the border and are making their way through now.
“I’ve been told not to reveal their exact location yet, until they’ve made it to safety.”
She then added: “Next step – Ireland.”
****UPDATE****THEY’VE MADE IT TO AN EU BORDER! I could shout it from the hills! They have made it to the border and are making their way through now. I’ve been told not to reveal their exact location yet, until they get to safety🎉 Next step ✈️Ireland🇮🇪.
My face right now:😆— 𝙿𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚊 (@PrincxssTiana) March 9, 2022
Christiana also updated RTÉ News on her sister’s situation, telling them:
“They’re freezing, but they’re delighted.
“They’ve had to get out of their cars and walk the rest of the way because of the traffic. I think they’re on foot.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Christiana told Morning Ireland that she had hopes that her sister would be evacuated from Ukraine today.
Racheal had previously issued a plea to the Irish Government, asking for help to leave Ukraine.
She said:
“All we want to do is return home to our families and potentially continue our studies.
“I’m still trying to find ways to leave, still trying to find the safest options. We are just hanging in there and hoping for the best.”
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, two million people have fled the country, and it is understood that half of them are children.
Millions more have been displaced within the country.
According to the United Nations human rights office, there have been 1,424 verified civilian casualties in Ukraine since the conflict began two weeks ago, including 516 deaths.
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