Ukraine: British father fears for trapped family

Michael is trying to get his wife and daughter out of Ukraine

Family Handout Michael's wife and daughter — Michael is trying to get his wife and daughter out of Ukraine

A British man whose wife and daughter live in Ukraine said he feared for their safety following the Russian invasion.

Michael lives in Huntingdon, in Cambridgeshire, but his family live in southern Ukraine.

He said he had been trying to get emergency visas for them since 12 March and had called on the government to help.

"There's nothing I can do about it - I'm powerless," he said.

Michael lived in Ukraine for 20 years, but moved back to the UK and started a camera business in Huntingdon.

The plan was for his wife, Oksana, and their daughter, Louisa, 17, to join him when his daughter finishes school in the summer.

He moved back to the UK to show that last year he was able to earn enough to bring his family over, Michael said.

Family handout Michael with his wife — Michael with his wife Oksana

He had been trying to secure visas for them to leave Ukraine but said he feared it was "now too late".

"There was a lot of shooting last night by the railway station, there were explosions heard around the city," he said.

He said his family did not feel safe in their own home.

"I've been told the roads are going to be closed. No-one can get to the border as far as we know.

"There's no way to get to the Polish border to get out of the country. There's no more train tickets, no more flights, that's it now.

"I hate feeling useless. I don't know what else to do. Now I don't know when I'm going to see them again.

"I want it all to stop," he added, choking back tears.

I just want my wife and my daughter back."

He pleaded for those involved in the conflict to "stop killing each other - just try to be kind".

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The Home Office priority remains supporting British Nationals and their families who want to leave Ukraine and UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) are working around the clock to process visa applications.

"These applications are being prioritised and, where we have all relevant information, we will aim to process within 24 hours and issue to the person as soon as possible.

"[Michael] made contact with us today and we are now urgently seeking to get in touch to process any application."