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Mar 2022

Last Updated: 11/03/2022

News

Ukrainian couple in Harrogate speak of fears for family under Russian fire

by Thomas Barrett

| 11 Mar, 2022

Viktoriia Jakubiak's mum and sister are currently in Chernhiv, a city less than 100 miles north of Kyiv. It has faced heavy shelling and airstrikes from Russian forces since the invasion began.

A Ukrainian couple have spoken about their fears for close family members who are encircled by Russian forces in Ukraine and unable to flee.

Taras and Viktoriia Jakubiak live in Harrogate with their two children Isabella, 6, and Eve, 12, who goes to St Robert's Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher Catholic High School.

Viktoriia's mum and sister are currently in Chernhiv, a city less than 100 miles north of Kyiv. It has faced heavy shelling and airstrikes from Russian forces since the invasion began.

The couple last spoke to them this morning.

Taras said:

"We're really worried, the Russians are shelling indiscriminately".

Acute danger each day

Their family members in Chernhiv face acute danger each day. Russian tanks shot at a church when Viktoriia's mum was inside and they are spending nights in a pitch black basement to not draw attention.

Taras added:

"The Russians are trying to submit the local population. They want to subjugate the nation and eliminate democracy".

Viktoriia's mum works in the local city hospital. However she is continuing to go to work, despite the threat from Russian forces who have bombed hospitals in Mariupol and Zhytomyr.

Taras said:

"Even the hospitals aren't aren't safe these days.

"It is indiscriminate and very dangerous."

Below is a video that was recently taken in Chernihiv where Viktoriia and Taras' family live.

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1500566937516060676?s=20&t=rjn1szCForBjc9nWj5F3Qw

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The family moved to Harrogate two years ago from West Yorkshire. Taras said he was touched to see the Ukrainian flag flying at the war memorial in Harrogate.

He was born in the UK and also has cousins in Kyiv. Taras said the response in Harrogate, which has involved fundraisers and donations, has made him proud to be both British and Ukrainian.

"Family members in Ukraine are aware of the support and encouragement. They don't feel alone".

Things will get better

Heartbreakingly, the family got Viktoriia's mum and sister UK visas to escape the war zone and join them in Harrogate. However, they did not have enough time to leave Chernhiv before the Russian advance and were trapped.

"There was no way out. They were encircled".

Taras said it has been difficult to explain the situation to his children, who ask how their relatives are doing in Ukraine.

"It's difficult to reassure them."

"We tell them they are going through a dark time but things will get better."

Thank you for your interest in this story

Ukrainian couple in Harrogate speak of fears for family under Russian fire

Acute danger each day

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Things will get better