Local Ukrainian community fears of ‘bloodshed’ heighten as Russia escalates military action

Ukrainian community members in Australia have told SBS News they are desperately trying to respond to calls from those seeking visas to come here as concerns for their safety escalate.

Australian-Ukrainian community members have expressed deep concern over Russia’s escalation of military action against Ukraine as fears mount over the human cost of the act of aggression.

 

Leaders of Australia’s Ukraine community met with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke on Thursday to discuss the federal government’s response to the unfolding crisis.

The emergency meeting was held just before Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed a “military operation” in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.

Ukrainian-Australian Mar’yana Sywak is among those fearing for loved ones, with her parents Evgen and Valentina located in southeast Ukraine around 200 kilometres from Donbas.

She’s desperately trying to secure them a visitor visa but, with the situation in Ukraine rapidly getting worse, is worried time is running out to get them to safety.

“We’re all afraid that even if the visa will be granted it will be too late to escape,” she told SBS News.

“I really want them to be safe, to be here with me.”

Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations co-chairman Stefan Romaniw said the community members had conveyed the need for decisive action to support Ukrainians abroad.

“There was a sense of urgency [in the meeting with Mr Hawke] that emergency visas had to be issued,” he said.

“We’ve already had numerous calls from people in Ukraine asking how they can get out and get a visa here.”

Shelling and explosions have intensified since Mr Putin recognised the two separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent and ordered troops into these areas.

Mr Romaniw expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation, with fears rapidly escalating for those abroad in the danger area.

“Human lives are going to be lost – blood is going to be shed. The way [Vladimir Putin’s] talking there could be rivers of blood and corpses,” he told SBS News.

“It’s time to step up.”

Amid this uncertainty, the Australian government has promised visa applications from Ukrainian nationals are being fast-tracked for processing.

Mr Hawke told community members on Thursday during their meeting the Australian government stood ready to work “urgently” to address concerns over the safety of Ukrainians.

“It is a very dark time (for) people in Ukraine with the threat of invasion looming over them,” he said during the meeting.

“We are working as fast as we can to process visas, to enable people to come here as quickly as possible.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said Australia will work closely with European partners to deal with the “likelihood of displaced persons” arising from the conflict in Ukraine.

The government has promised to expedite 430 outstanding applications from Ukrainian citizens to come to Australia as a matter of urgency, across a range of visa classes.

It has also committed to extending visas for Ukraine nationals in Australia by up to six months, to ensure they are not forced to return to danger.

But it remains unclear whether the response would include allocating specialist humanitarian visas for Ukrainian nationals at this time.

The current crisis comes after Australia recently pledged 15,000 visas through the humanitarian and family visa pathways for Afghan nationals over four years within the existing cap.

The response has placed pressure on the Department of Home Affairs’ processing capabilities as officials work through applications on behalf of some 145,000 people seeking protection.

Mr Morrison instead indicated it could be more likely Australia’s response would be through supporting the efforts of European partners to offer protection to those abroad.

As tension ramps up in eastern Europe, the federal government has also appealed for Australians to urgently get out of Ukraine.

So far, 184 nationals have registered with the embassy but as many as 1,400 are thought to still be in the danger zone.

There are also some 1,027 Ukrainians outside Australia who have visas to enter Australia, who the government has also said would be welcomed into the country. SBS News