Why Africans In Ukraine Is Trending On Social Media?

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been devastating to thousands of people. So many people have lost their homes and lives over something that wasn’t necessary. It has been reported that more than 150,000 Ukrainian refugees have now crossed into neighbouring countries, half of them to Poland, and many to Hungary, Moldova, Romania and beyond.

Africans in Ukraine are apparently receiving terrible treatment in trying to flee the country like others. Many people on Twitter are speaking about Africans allegedly being stranded in Ukraine.

Black Africans are being treated with racism and contempt in Ukraine & Poland. West cannot ask African nations to stand in solidarity with them if they cannot display basic respect for us even in a time of war. Ignored in a pandemic and left to die in war?!! UNACCEPTABLE.

— Dr. Ayoade Alakija (@yodifiji) February 25, 2022

Seeing those videos and stories of Africans in Ukraine being stranded and denied entry into neighboring countries has been so infuriating. It’s not surprising but even in during an invasion, it’s the same shit. Always the same inhuman treatment.

— Zito (@_Zeets) February 26, 2022

https://twitter.com/lamiasdottir/status/1497567990014906370?s=21

https://twitter.com/ogbenidipo/status/1497705661899198471?s=21

https://twitter.com/hogoekpessou/status/1497479190282649600?s=21

People policing why Black and Brown folk have an opinion on how Ukraine is being covered. The racist comparative reporting is triggering. Seeing Black Africans being turned away at borders, European countries abandoning anti refugee rhetoric etc this is a lot!!

— Najma Sambul (@najsambul) February 26, 2022

A Nigerian medical student at Poland/Ukraine border (Medyka-Shehyni) told me she has been waiting 7hrs to cross, she says border guards are stopping black people and sending them to the back of the queue, saying they have to let 'Ukrainians' through first.

— Stephanie Hegarty (@stephhegarty) February 26, 2022

A Twitter user named Damilare posted a series of videos of how Africans are being treated in Ukraine. He claimed Ukraines were blocking Africans to get on trains. He posted an alleged screenshot of a group chat with Africans sharing their experience on the ground. In one screenshot, one person said they aren’t letting Africans on the trains to Poland and in another screenshot one person says they are “pushing black guys away.” Damilare posted another picture of Africans taking shelter waiting for safe harbour to asylum. Check out the full Twitter thread here. Damilare also posted a video of Africans waiting in the cold outside of the border. Watch it here.