A HELENSBURGH dad who escaped with his family at the start of invasion of Ukraine has described the “nightmare” as they mark one year on from the Russian invasion of their homeland.
Stuart McKenzie has spent almost 30 years living and working in Kyiv with his wife Elena, 48, daughter Victoria, 21, and sons Robert, 15, and Stuart Jr, 13 when Russia attacked.
Now living in Poland and regularly organising relief efforts for more than a million Ukrainian refugees, the 52-year-old told the Advertiser the past 12 months had been like living in a “heavy fog”.
And he pleaded for the continued support of residents, defiantly vowing Ukraine would one day be rebuilt and families reunited.
He said: “Everything has changed and nothing is clear. I hope every minute to see something that resembles normality.
“Our lives have changed forever, and this reality sinks with every passing day. But I still have hope that maybe tomorrow, it will all stop and it all will be over.”
Stuart said everyone was trying to help in any way they could to save Ukraine “from his brutal neighbour”.
But he admitted every effort seemed small compared to the task.
READ MORE: Stuart steps up his bid to keep the world’s focus on Ukraine civilians
He said: “Too many people are suffering every day. And although the international community has been fantastic, the need is enormous and ongoing every second of every day, with no Sundays off.
“Everyone I know is affected, everyone, some more than others, but we’re all living the same nightmare.
“We try to support each other with anything we have, trying to keep ourselves sane along the way.
“Once happy families are torn apart, you never know when they will be reunited. Businesses, homes, schools, neighbourhoods, and futures are destroyed with every Russian bomb that lands in this otherwise peaceful land.
“Too many people are dying and suffering. Too many children will be fatherless. It will take a long time to recover from the horror of these war crimes.”
Stuart said he had lived in the country for 28 years and it was a “wonderful, ambitious country with beautiful people, traditions, and great pride and honour”.
He added: “Time does not make this easier, only harder.
“I ask everyone to please continue to support Ukraine in any way you can. Ukrainians are suffering way beyond what anyone can comprehend. Your contribution, no matter how small, goes a long way.
“The nightmare began 360 nights ago, and I expect it will continue for many more months to come.
“But one day, one day soon, I believe Ukraine will see victory and will have peace.
“Families and friends will be reunited and move back home to rebuild with pride. Then and only then will this nightmare finally stop.”
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