Ukrainian students in the Triangle face uncertainty as classes end

For most students at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, the war in Ukraine is thousands of miles away.

But for Misha Shvets, it's no further than a text.

"I'm subscribed to air raid sirens in Dnipro," said Shvets.

Shvets, a computer science grad student at UNC, was supposed to go home to Ukraine at the end of the semester to visit family.

Instead, the next time he'll see them is anyone's guess.

"My mom has to wake up with air raid sirens," said Shvets. "My dad's family was in even worse situation. They survived shelling for about two weeks, having no electricity, no heat, no food supply. And they made a lucky escape. A few days before, a shell directly hit a house next door."

Shvets isn't alone.

According to the Institute of Higher Education, there are about 1,700 Ukrainians studying in the US.

That includes four students at Duke and as many as four at UNC.

Both schools told WRAL News they're reaching out to Ukrainian students, with UNC noting they're connecting students with counseling - and will provide housing as long as students are enrolled.

"My advisors have reached out to me. They've offered words of support, said they understand the situation," said Shvets.

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Shvets finishes his PhD program in December.

He isn't sure what comes next - just that'll he'll do what he can for his family and his country, whether he's a text, or a world away.

"We'll continue to fight, as long as the war is raging in our country," said Shvets.

Shvets said he's doing everything he can to get people involved and interested in the war in Ukraine - including helping organize rallies, and encouraging people to reach out to their representatives.