Peter Dutka has spoken of his devastation and concern for family in Ukraine after waking up this morning to the news that Russia had invaded.

Mr Dutka lives in Ripon and was brought up in England by his father, who was born in Ukraine. He still has family living in western Ukraine near the Polish border.

Mr Dutka hasn’t spoken to his Ukrainian family yet today but said he will call them as soon as he can. He described the invasion as “deeply, deeply troubling” and distressing, adding:

“The news is devastating on a family front but it will have ramifications across the world too. You wouldn’t think in times like these a land war would happen, but it has. The consequences of this could be huge. It’s just devastating.”

Mr Dutka, who was due to visit his family this year, said the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation needed to be “more firm” and take a stand against President Putin.

“I am really proud of my Ukrainian heritage so this is very frightening. I have aunties, uncles and cousins over there, of course it’s a huge worry for us.

“I’m welling up just thinking about it.”

Read more:

• Ripon gala concert will celebrate the Queen’s jubilee
• Ripon student earns place at leading musical theatre college

In the last 24 hours, Russia has launched missile strikes on major cities in Ukraine, forcing people to flee their homes.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss described the attack as an “illegal, unprovoked invasion” and warned the Russian ambassador that the UK would be “imposing severe sanctions”.

An advisor to the Ukrainian president has said 40 people died in the first few hours of Russian strikes.