Two Scottish landscapers who travelled to Ukraine to assist these looking for to flee the invasion have reportedly been "raided" by Russian troops.
Joseph McCarthy, 55, from Falkirk, and his colleague Gary Taylor, 45, from Bonnyrigg, set off for the war-torn japanese European nation final week of their work van to offer help to these in want.
They have been sharing their journey by way of livestreams on social community TikTok underneath their enterprise deal with of @ready2rocklandscaping.
Thus far they are saying they've accomplished two "missions" to assist individuals get to security - and had been even requested in the event that they supported Rangers or Celtic at a Ukrainian checkpoint as they made their method throughout the nation.
The pair had purchased a brand new van to move extra individuals simply two days in the past and had been heading for the north-eastern metropolis of Sumy, which has been underneath heavy shelling from Russian forces.
Nonetheless, in a message on her private profile, Joe's spouse Fiona stated the pair had discovered themselves in hassle after encountering a Russian convoy.
She stated the tyres on their van had been shot out and the van had been "raided".
In a tearful handle, Fiona stated: "Guys, they will not be again on-line. They've had their van raided.
"They've shot the tyres out, two entrance tyres. They've taken Joe's cellphone, so all they have left is Gary's cellphone.
"They undoubtedly not be again on-line as a result of the TikTok was all on Joe's cellphone.
"I will hold you up to date as a lot as I can however please, hold praying for them, thanks."
Fortunately, Fiona later confirmed that the pair had been secure - however had been now travelling on "two wheels" having misplaced two tyres to Russian gunfire.
She added: "They're secure for now. They're all good for now."
Earlier on Sunday, Fiona stated Gary and Joe had managed to enter Sumy with the assistance of Ukrainian cops.
She stated: "They've managed to get into Sumi. All of the roads had been blocked off however they've managed to get a police escort in.
"However they're now caught behind the big convoy of military automobiles getting into.
"It may be a wee whereas till they get to the households they're selecting up."
Nonetheless, a couple of hours later she stated the pair needed to flip again because the Russian military had fired warning photographs of their course.
Fiona added: "Sadly they will not be capable to get to the households.
"I feel they're safe-ish for now however there's troops and troops of Russian military passing by them.
"Please pray for them. Thanks a lot for all of your love."
A GoFundMe web page launched to assist cowl Joe and Gary's prices of travelling to Ukraine and offering locals with provides has raised over £17,000 so far.
British nationals have been instructed to not journey to Ukraine within the newest Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace (FCDO) recommendation.
Any Brits nonetheless within the nation are suggested to register with the British Embassy, which has relocated from Kyiv to Lviv amid intense preventing within the Ukrainian capital.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, head of Britain's armed forces, stated earlier on Sunday that folks wanting to assist with the Ukraine scenario ought to contemplate options to travelling to the nation itself.
He instructed the BBC : "We have been very clear that it is illegal in addition to unhelpful for UK army and for the UK inhabitants to begin going in the direction of Ukraine in that sense.
"Assist from the UK, assist in no matter method you possibly can. However this is not actually one thing that you simply need to rush to by way of the sound of gunfire. That is about wise assist based mostly within the UK."
A spokesperson for the UK Overseas, Commonwealth & Growth Workplace stated: "The protection of British nationals in Ukraine is a prime precedence. Specifically skilled UK disaster response groups have been despatched to nations neighbouring Ukraine to assist our consular operations.
"We advise British nationals to depart Ukraine instantly in the event that they choose it's secure to take action. Our journey recommendation continues to be up to date with the newest steerage, and people requiring help ought to name +380 44 490 3660 or +44 (0)1908 516666."
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