A UKRAINIAN junior doctor working in Stockton is urging people to help send medical supplies to his home country.
As the Russian invasion intensifies, there are reports of many more casualties, including children and civilians in residential areas.
Vladyslav Vovk, 26, who works at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, hopes people in the region will give what they can to help people trying to defend their country from Russian aggression.
Dr Vovk said: “I am trying to get as much support as possible from my hospital in terms of emergency medical supplies and medications and am urging people to make financial donations.
“It is the only thing I can do, and it is pretty frustrating knowing that men my age are out there fighting for their country to keep Putin out of Europe.
“Whatever I do it feels it won’t be enough, and I don’t think it ever will compared to what those guys are doing.
“Part of me does want to go back to help where I can but I also have a duty to people here. This is my second home, so it is very difficult.”
Dr Vovk, who plans to become a GP, has been in the country for 17 years and currently lives in Stokesley, in North Yorkshire, with his partner.
His 90-year-old grandmother, uncle and three cousins still live in Ukraine.
Dr Vovk: “I could not believe it at first. It took a day for the news to sink in. None of us thought this was going to happen.
“It is heart-breaking to pictures of buildings destroyed, soldiers in tanks and people lying in the streets.”
He is urging people to support Ukraine Medical Aid North East, which was founded by Dr Karolis Rozanas, an 'adopted Geordie' from Lithuania, and Dr Kasia Kostrzewa, from Poland.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead has offered use of a warehouse to store things before they are sent off to the frontline of the conflict.
The group is looking for items such as blood clotting agents, broad spectrum antibiotics, local anaesthetics, suturing materials and cardiac monitors.
Ukraine Medical Aid North East is working with British Ukrainian Aid Charity, who will help transport the equipment to where it is needed in Ukraine and the border in Poland.
Anyone who would like to volunteer or help can join the Ukraine Medical Aid North East on Facebook by clicking here.
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