A Scots dad who fled Ukraine along with his new child child has made it safely to Poland after spending 38 hours on the border.
Dad-of-two Ken Stewart lived 40 miles west of Kiev with spouse Tania, and kids Yaryna, aged three, and Douglas, who was born two weeks in the past.
An air base just some miles away from his home was attacked on Thursday and army planes had been flying overhead.
The household fled however was compelled to hitch a queue of lots of of automobiles making an attempt to get into Poland, which is a member of the European Union.
Ken, who's from Edinburgh however lived in Ukraine for 15 years, arrived in Poland final night time.
He mentioned: "We made it into Poland final night time, 38 hours within the queue.
"We're the fortunate ones.
"Spare a thought for these hundreds who're nonetheless in that queue, and lots of different strains from Moldova to Poland.
"I did not see anybody lose it, no fights, no selfishness however a way of all being in it collectively."
He added: "Ukrainians are an instance for the world to observe.
"I think about you've gotten all labored that out by now.
"They seem like constructed otherwise from the remainder of us.
"Yara, our three 12 months outdated, must be a mannequin for youngsters all over the place.
"She stored a smile on her face virtually the entire time and by no means actually complained. Clearly takes after her mom."
The couple had already begun the method to get a British visa for Tanya.
However that they had been provided an appointment on the British Embassy in Kiev on Friday - the day after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an assault throughout Ukraine.
Though, because the partner of a British citizen, she is entitled to a visa, the household doesn't understand how straightforward, or fast, the method will likely be.
Ken added: "At the moment, we're torn between reduction for getting our youngsters to security and guilt for leaving so many behind.
"Generally it's a must to make troublesome choices.
"Our kids drove these choices. Utterly."
He added: "We've got left behind in-laws - Tanya's dad and mom, brother, his spouse and their 10 12 months outdated son.
"Leaving him there hurts however they needed to remain collectively.
"They now spend their days in a bomb shelter within the basement of a kindergarten in our village.
"Shelling and bombing within the surrounding space retains them there.
"What retains our hopes up is the truth that the Russians have met their match, greater than their match within the Ukrainians.
"They won't hand over the nation and not using a mighty struggle.
"They're actually combating for the survival of their nation."
Ken mentioned the household was getting settled in a resort, the place they had been having scorching showers after the arduous journey.
He added: "Then we'll get right down to the enterprise of getting Tanya a visa for UK. As if we do not have sufficient to fret about.
"My spouse is Ukrainian and I am a UK citizen - each kids have UK citizenship.
"However the UK authorities completely refuses to make the method simpler for my spouse to get a visa.
The Scottish Authorities has urged the House Workplace to carry visa necessities for all Ukrainians searching for entry to the UK.
It's understood the UK is presently reviewing its Ukrainian refugee scheme.
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