FLEET has a number of members from Ukraine and neighbouring countries, and our thoughts are with all of them right now. Our own Oleh Klochan grew up in Ukraine, and his family are there now. We asked Oleh about his family.
“Regarding what I have told you over the phone, I am directly affected by this war as all my family is in Ukraine. My father’s family is from the Kharkiv region which is currently the area of active combat with Russian invaders. My cousins and their children are experiencing missile strikes, tank raids and shooting, something we have only read in the books about WW2 . My two nephews (my brother’s children) who have already served in the army in Donbas area bordering Russia are now have been drafted back to the army . Fortunately my parents live in a relatively safe Lviv to the west of Ukraine, and I hope it will stay safe. Russia is bombarding not only critical infrastructure but also apartment buildings, childcare centres and hospitals killing innocent civilians, including children. In four days of aggression 352 civilians have been killed and more than 2000 wounded, tens of thousands of people are displaced and fleeing the country to the neighbouring Poland and Hungary. It’s a huge humanitarian crisis and Ukraine needs help to resolve it as soon as possible. Stop War Now.”
Oleh also provided a few options for anyone wanting to contribute material aid towards the humanitarian crisis, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal, the Red Cross and Unicef . Many others are writing their local and ministerial politicians, urging action.