On the 24th of February at 5 am, Russia invaded Ukraine following a significant Russian buildup on the border. More than 360 civilians - including children - have lost their lives following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, although this death toll is likely to be 'considerably higher', according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The rate of military deaths are not known at this stage - but numbers of casualties cited in recent days have ranged from the hundreds to the thousands. The UN have also also reported that more 1.5million refugees have fled Ukraine since the invasion began - this number is expected to substantially increase. Tens of thousands of refugees are arriving on a daily basis to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Moldova, Romania, and are travelling to destinations across Europe, including Ireland.

We do not know what the future holds for Ukraine as the Russian invasion continues, but we do know that far more people - including children and the most vulnerable in society - will die in a needless and baseless conflict they never asked for.

Seeing how many people are affected by this war means nobody can stand idly by. DCUSU is anti-war and we have joined protests in solidarity with the Ukrainian people affected and supported students affected personally by the invasion. If you wish to seek support on this, please email [email protected].  

There are many students in DCU from Ukraine who have been directly affected by Russia’s invasion.

We also recognise equally how those fleeing and arriving into Ireland have to rely on the inhumane system of Direct Provision, and those from ethnic minorities in Ukraine face more discrimination in being a refugee in accessing support and other conflicts happening across the world in Yemen, Somalia and Syria to this day. 

DCUSU, together with DCU and the Union of Students in Ireland and European Students’ Union, is firmly anti-war and calls for an end to this needless war, the preservation of humanitarian corridors to ensure civilians can escape conflict zones and aid can be brought in, as well as Ireland ensures to fully support Ukrainians wanting to move to Ireland in suitable accommodation and equal rights.

We have set up this page in conjunction with the DCU Eastern European Society to fundraise for the Irish Red Cross. This is a NGO, to ensure that the money raised supports aid efforts in Ukraine in supporting those affected by armed conflict, blood collection and mobilising volunteers and supplies in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.