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Original poster

Anyone with friends/family in Ukraine?

54 replies

UkraineThread · 24/02/2022 08:06

Does anyone have friends and/or family in Ukraine? I have a friend (western Ukraine) and so worried. Waiting to hear from him today.

Thinking of everyone in the same boat and the Ukrainians themselves of course. There are terrible times.

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OverTheRubicon · 26/02/2022 14:11

@FabricedeSauveterre

I had a call with a business contact in Kiev last week. She runs a surrogacy agency, there are a lot of worried intended parents around the world about their babies in Ukraine.
Of course that's hard for everyone, but it's hard to be very sympathetic for a surrogacy agency in a poor country. It's also worth noting that Kiev is the Russian spelling, Kyiv is the Ukrainian.
Original poster
UkraineThread · 27/02/2022 11:34

I've just read more than 115,000 Ukrainians have crossed into Poland and the queues at the borders points are over 10 miles long. I haven't heard from my friend since Thursday night. Watching the news is horrific.

I am thinking of everyone else waiting to hear from their loved ones and hoping your loved ones are safe.

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ShowOfHands · 27/02/2022 11:40

My sister in law is from Mariupol and obviously my nieces and nephews are half Ukrainian. Her family and friends are still there but she is in the UK thankfully. We've heard from her Mum and grandparents (in their late 80s) every day. Her Mum is training in emergency medicine to feel like she's as prepared as possible. In many ways, they're calmer than we are because - in their words - they're used to a different way of life, military presence, skirmishes and threat. It's awful and heartbreaking and everything you'd expect but their sphere of experience is different so they feel differently prepared than we would.

Original poster
UkraineThread · 27/02/2022 11:57

I agree show when I spoke to my friend in the weeks/days leading up to this he was definitely more "resigned" than I would ever have been...he said a lot of this was "business as normal" between Ukraine and Russia but then when I spoke to him on Thursday he was in disbelief that it had actually come to this situation in 2022. This is the longest we have been out of contact and I just can't stop thinking of him and his family.

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Gotmyprincecharming · 27/02/2022 12:07

I'm married to a Ukrainian..he hasn't slept since he got up Thursday morning, maybe an hour here or there and then up again..his parents and sisters with their families are still there..sisters live in Kyiv but have gone elsewhere to hopefully be safer. Our kids are naturally very worried about their grandparents and other family members. DH is feeling an awful guilt about not taking part to help defend the country. I've never seen him be so down or cry so much in our 20 years together as I have in the last few days.

Original poster
UkraineThread · 27/02/2022 12:17

God your poor DH, it must feel so frustrating (not a strong enough word but hopefully you understand) being so far away and unable to "help" as well as being terrified for loved ones. Has he been able to speak to any of them?

I think with easy communication and flights etc in "normal" times, it's easy to forget the distance (my friend travels back and forth a lot) but suddenly now it seems so far away. It's made me realise how much we all take for granted and how quickly we can lose it.

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Cocomarine · 27/02/2022 12:23

@FabricedeSauveterre

I had a call with a business contact in Kiev last week. She runs a surrogacy agency, there are a lot of worried intended parents around the world about their babies in Ukraine.
Worried whether they’ll get a refund, I suppose? 🤨
Cocomarine · 27/02/2022 12:26

@Gotmyprincecharming I’m so sorry.

My connections are not strong - still several colleagues in Kyiv and Lviv who migrated from “just colleagues” to “colleagues who I’m also on fb with”. I’ve told them that any friends or family who should end up in the U.K. are welcome to contact me for support. Feel so helpless, and worried for them all.

OrangeBananaFish · 27/02/2022 12:38

I have a friend from Kyiv whose family are still there. She had a message chat with a relative on Friday night who was still there and taking shelter underground.

I really feel for her right now. Its heartbreaking to watch

Gotmyprincecharming · 27/02/2022 12:50

Communication so far hasn't been an issue, had text messages from them this morning. No problems where they are yet. About 2 hours outside Kyiv. How long that will last, nobody knows..things can change in minutes there. One of his best friends said they have the town blockaded very well and are ready to fight back for whenever they arrive. I don't know how they stay so calm over there. We're an emotional wreck here. DH is only too ready to hop on a flight out of Dublin, he'd be gone in a flash..I'm afraid I'll wake up some morning and him and his passport will be gone, I told him I'm burning it!

Original poster
UkraineThread · 27/02/2022 12:51

I tried not to respond too much to the business surrogacy post so as not to derail the thread (I'm usually on FWR but have obviously name changed for this thread, but aside from that, that post showed a total lack of ability to read the room) but it's heartened me to see people comment on it.

Back to the subject at hand...

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Original poster
UkraineThread · 27/02/2022 12:59

@Gotmyprincecharming

Communication so far hasn't been an issue, had text messages from them this morning. No problems where they are yet. About 2 hours outside Kyiv. How long that will last, nobody knows..things can change in minutes there. One of his best friends said they have the town blockaded very well and are ready to fight back for whenever they arrive. I don't know how they stay so calm over there. We're an emotional wreck here. DH is only too ready to hop on a flight out of Dublin, he'd be gone in a flash..I'm afraid I'll wake up some morning and him and his passport will be gone, I told him I'm burning it!

Unfortunately I've just seen Liz Truss say people from the UK are free to go and fight if they want which has totally infuriated me, apart from the fact no one can fucking get into Ukraine...they won't send troops but they say that!!

I'm trying to keep it a support thread though and not political, plus I know you're in Ireland anyway, but can I ask what has the Irish response been like? I also have family in Ireland but haven't spoken to them yet.

It's heartening to see some people still have communication - I think that's the hardest part for me. I know my friend will have much more pressing problems than contacting me and he also said on Thursday he was expecting power cuts, but not knowing they are safe is terrifying. If he does go to Poland and can get to the UK I know he will come to me, so I'm praying I get a call to say he is at the airport and can I come pick him up! I also know if he stays this will be a "long haul" thing and won't be over quickly, it won't be just a weekend of fighting and then done.

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Cocomarine · 27/02/2022 13:11

Can your friend even come to the U.K. though @UkraineThread ?
Poland has opened their border, but presumably he can’t then enter the U.K.?

Gotmyprincecharming · 27/02/2022 13:12

There's been an overwhelming amount of support for Ukraine in Ireland, be it from endless protests, raising money or clothing and humanitarian aid to send..people offering to give food and shelter to Ukrainians that may arrive and need a place to stay. Nobody with a decent heart and soul agrees with what's happening. It is visa free entry now for Ukrainians but even if family did want to come to us it may not be safe to travel through Ukraine..and then a wait for days and days to get through any border.

I hope your friend is OK too x

Original poster
UkraineThread · 27/02/2022 13:19

Yes my friend has a UK passport as well as Ukrainian, his partner and young DC don't but they would be allowed in at the moment. The hardest thing is that his other family members (including other grown up DC) wish to stay and he would also prefer to stay if possible, he loves his country. The choice between leaving older DC at possible risk to your younger DC must be, well I can't even imagine it.

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Cocomarine · 27/02/2022 13:25

I’m glad he at least has the theoretical option then.
My friend doesn’t want to leave, nor do his wife and adult daughter. They’re all fluent English speakers, and used to living abroad - I met him when he was based in Moscow. But the women don’t want to leave him, and none of them want to leave their own country, as a matter of principle.

Original poster
UkraineThread · 27/02/2022 17:20

I have heard from my friend! They are all in Ukraine still and trying to see if his employer (don't want to give too many details here) can help get them out. But again, like you say coco they don't want to have to leave their country and other family members, it's a last resort. I can't even imagine what they are going through but I'm so relieved to hear from him. He said it's surreal, and it was such a surreal conversation to even be having.

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Original poster
UkraineThread · 01/03/2022 07:13

How is everyone doing? Any news on your DH's family @Gotmyprincecharming? My friend is still there, Poland is the nearest border to them but there are so many people trying to get across.

I'm still in disbelief that this is happening (and really trying to keep this a support thread not political as I'm also in disbelief at our government's response. Ireland (and everyone else) is putting us to shame.

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forcedfun · 01/03/2022 08:03

We have been trying to get our relative out but unsuccessfully so far. She's very frightened so would rather just stay where she is. We are still exploring options but they get fewer as the days go by

Cocomarine · 01/03/2022 10:00

My colleague / friend is still in Kyiv, and posting a lot on fb - screenshots of local news reports of shelling, mostly. We’ve swapped some messages directly, but we’re not super close so I feel a bit useless with nothing more to say than, “hope you’re OK.” 😕

Gotmyprincecharming · 01/03/2022 10:04

So far still quiet where they are @UkraineThread .... we can only hope and pray it stays that way but no place in the country really is guaranteed safe..they really need to close the sky.. that's the only way that Russians are having a major impact really....The Cowards way. Very scared with all these troops on the way to Kyiv now.

I'm so glad you've heard from your friend Smile and hope they and their family stay safe too

PotatoGoblins · 01/03/2022 10:27

I’ve been getting updates from my friend via Instagram.
He’s a trained medic, so has mostly been putting those skills to use. Lots of civilian casualties. As of last night, where he was had no electricity and no water, so he’s just making do with what basic medical kit he’s got. Said they are expecting more volunteers from the U.K., the US and Poland today and are banking on them bringing more medical supplies with them.

Original poster
UkraineThread · 01/03/2022 12:52

I'm just watching the news, it is horrifying.

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MarshmallowSwede · 01/03/2022 13:35

I have colleagues in Ukraine.. our office in kyev is gone. I’m on maternity leave but was asked to work to help my team move data. Most of the colleagues were unable to be contacted then when this first started and some still we have no idea if they are ok. I hope they are. There are still efforts being made to verify that they are ok, but no one has been able to make any contact with them. Even the colleagues there in Ukraine we did manage to reach.. they are also unable to reach them. So I do really hope they are ok. And it could be anything .. no phone charger. The men of course are perhaps already fighting and cannot have time to talk. The women evacuated and are not able to talk. So just trying not to jump to conclusions.

Original poster
UkraineThread · 03/03/2022 20:37

How is everyone doing? The news is just horrific to watch. I haven't heard from my friend. I'm really worried because I'm sure he would have rung me if he had been able to get to Poland. So they must still be in Ukraine I think. We usually speak most days when he is in the UK and every couple of days when he is in Ukraine so this is the longest we have gone without speaking to each other recently. Every time my phone goes off my heart turns over.

How is everyone else's friends and families doing? It's heartbreaking situation.

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