As Ukraine braces for the possibility of an imminent invasion by Russia, several Ukrainian scientists say that they and their colleagues are taking measures to protect themselves and their work.
As Ukraine braces for the possibility of an imminent invasion by Russia, several Ukrainian scientists have told Nature that they and their colleagues are taking measures to protect themselves and their work, including gathering items for self-defence and preparing to flee. The escalating tensions come eight years after a revolution that pushed Ukraine to cut ties with Russia—including those related to research—and forge closer links with the European Union.
Research institutions in Crimea, previously run by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, were transferred to Russian control. Fighting in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk continues to this day. The conflict led to 18 universities relocating out of Luhansk and Donetsk to other parts of the country, with many researchers losing their homes and laboratories.
“There is a very certain threat of war. I feel like I could die tomorrow, or in two days, but I can’t do anything about that,” says Yegorchenko. Although she feels that it is useless to prepare, she is keeping electronic devices such as phones and power banks charged, and is in constant contact with her family. “All scientists do that,” she adds.
“In private conversations, scientists say that they have collected ‘alarming suitcases’ with documents and essentials,” says Yurii Danko, an economist at the institution. The bags contain clothes, medicines, tools, self-defence items and food, he says. Danko does not believe that Russia will invade, but says that if it did, many scientists would be forced to move from their homes to areas controlled by Ukraine to continue working—or might have to go abroad.
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