Ukrainian man in Luton helps raise over £800k for war-torn country
Mykola Derevinskyy has called on more support from the UK and other western countries
Last updated 28th Feb 2022
A Ukrainian man in Luton is coordinating a fundraising effort to help his compatriots, as his country comes under attack from Russia.
Over £800,000 has been raised so far in the Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal on GoFundMe - which is being coordinated by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.
You can contribute to the fundraising effort here.
It comes after Russian troops entered Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, on Sunday -where a gas pipeline was targeted.
Mykola Derevinskyy has called on more support from the UK and other western countries:
"Europe wants to help Ukraine, but stay in complete comfort. We have to realise that we have a very dangerous situation, we have a real war, people are dying"
"If Putin is not stopped now, he will continue and the aggression will continue
"It's not just any conflict in Ukraine. It's a real war of Putin, the Russian federation, against Europe and against the whole world"
Mykola also told us he has family and friends who are still in Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict.
"I'm closely and constantly watching what's going on and trying to keep as calm as much as possible"
"Obviously this is a worrying time and I'm keeping in touch with my parents, relatives and friends.
"Ukrainian people and the army is protecting the security of the whole of Europe and the rest of the world, but we are on the front line.
"Every single person in Ukraine is prepared to fight until their last breath"