UK announces 18-month visa extension scheme for Ukrainians

Ukrainian visa holders who arrived in the UK to escape the ongoing war with Russia will be given an additional 18-month extensionto stay in Britain until at least September 2026, announced the Home Office on Sunday (Feb 18).

Since the start of the war nearly two years ago, more than 200,000 Ukrainians have sought sanctuary in the UK. Now, with the first visas issued in March 2022 set to expire next year, the Home Office said the new scheme would provide“certainty and assurance” for Ukrainians in the UK.

“This new visa extension scheme provides certainty and reassurance for Ukrainians in the UK on their future as this war continues, and we will continue to provide a safe haven for those fleeing the conflict,” said migration minister Tom Pursglov, adding that theextension would affect more than 283,000 Ukrainians.

Currently, Britain has two schemes for Ukrainian refugees - one for those having a family in the UK while the other allows Britons to offer accommodation to those fleeing the war.

Apart from extending the visa duration, Britain also said it would supply thousands of drones to Kyiv and urged US lawmakers to vote for a $95 billion security aid package for Ukraine and other allies.

Ukraine's struggles in the war

The announcement comes a day after Russia said it had assumed "full control" of the eastern Ukrainian city ofAvdiivka. Kyiv also confirmed it had indeedpulled out of the former stronghold to save soldiers' lives.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said President Vladimir Putin had congratulated the military on "such animportant victory".

Notably, thecapture of Avdiivka represents Russia's biggest victory in the war since May last year and signals that the conflictcould drag on.

Despite launching a much-publicised counter-offensive last year, the Ukrainian troops under President Volodymyr Zelensky have made little to no inroads.

With the weapons arsenal and funding drying up, Zelensky is anxiously looking towards the US Congress to approve another tranche of aid money. However, friction between the Republicans and Democrats has stopped the aid bill from passing through.

(With inputs from agencies)