College Freshman Joins Ukraine’s Volunteer Troops, Promises To Continue School Remotely

A University of Cambridge student who went to Ukraine to aid the country against the Russian invasion will continue to study and take exams amid the conflict.

Nikolai Nizalov, a biological natural sciences freshman at Cambridge's St. Catharine's College, left for Ukraine partway through the Lent term in response to Russia's invasion, The Tab reported.

The 19-year-old freshman is currently not a Ukrainian citizen, but he grew up in Ukraine and has family and friends living there, according to the outlet.

"I have friends on the frontlines and I wouldn't be able to look them in the eye if I didn't help out. In Ukraine, we are all together, and I feel much more at peace," Nizalov, who moved to the U.K. in 2013, was quoted as saying by Cambridgeshire Live.

The university student will reportedly join a nine-man platoon made up of Ukrainian volunteers up to their 30s, some of whom have military experience.

While Nizalov will work primarily as a medic, he will be given a rifle for his own protection.

As for his studies, Nizalov hopes to be able to return for his second year in October, but he vowed to remain in Ukraine "until we win," according to the outlet.

He will still watch lectures and maybe even take exams when the Easter term starts next month, he said.

"I've brought my lectures with me that I need to watch. I'll try to keep up with them with the little spare time I have. I might sit my exam in May remotely," Nizalov said.

He may have to move to a "safer" location such as neighboring Poland for his exams, according to The Tab.

Should Nizalov fail to receive a great mark this year, he said he can apply for special permission to get into school next year.

Nizalov is currently living at a friend's house in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine that borders Poland. He has taken an intensive medical course in the city to prepare him for his work as a medic and is now set to travel to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv next week to help those in need.

The student volunteer also plans to operate a drone that will drop supplies to people who cannot be reached because of Russian military positions.

Nizalov has set up a fundraising page to support his unit. They have reportedly raised enough to buy 4x4 vehicles.