War has forced former Ryde School student Daniel Williams, wife Tania, and baby Sophia to flee Kyiv for the safety of the Isle of Wight.
Daniel – a business consultant in the Ukrainian capital – had been the go-to person to report on events on the ground in Kyiv for the BBC, ITV and CNN, but this is the first time Daniel has spoken with Isle of Wight media.
Daniel described his escape from Kyiv:
“Shortly before the war started, I was told by the Foreign Office I had to be out of Ukraine within 48 hours. Unfortunately, baby Sophia did not have a passport, and we were told this would take 4 to 6 weeks to arrange.
“Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely called the Passport Office on our behalf, and we were able to pick up a passport the very next day. I give him credit for this, but I would also like to see the government do more for the other 40 million people in Ukraine.
“We travelled to the southern Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk to stay with Tania’s sister Nastia as we thought we would be safe and far away from any conflict there. But when the conflict started on 22nd February, Ivanvo-Frankivsk was struck by Russian missiles.
“We made our way to Lviv on the 23rd of February, where we could catch a train to Poland. I would not advise anyone to travel in a war zone with a baby as they are easily troubled by air raid sirens and all the shouting and confusion.
“Ukrainian men of fighting age are not allowed to leave their country. 10 were forced off the train at Lviv station at gunpoint by the Ukrainian authorities.
Article continues below this advertisement “I did offer to give up my place on the train to anyone who might need it more than I did, but Ukrainian officials told me to leave. I don’t think I would be much use in the army as I do not speak Ukrainian well enough to take orders.”
On 25th February, Daniel and Tania left Lviv to travel to Poland. When they arrived at Przemysl in Poland, they were overwhelmed by the help offered by ordinary Polish people. Daniel says:
“We were moved to a 1st class carriage and inundated with help. We were offered water, chocolates, candies, and homemade sandwiches.
“The reaction of people (not governments) has been amazing. Tania broke down in tears. The world is not such a terrible place because people have been so kind.
Daniel and his family then travelled from Przemysl to Krakow, from where they took a flight back to England on 27th February.
When asked what else the people of the Isle of Wight and the UK could do to help Ukraine, Daniel said:
“Write to MPs. Harangue Bob Seely. He’s an educated man, who understands the situation in Ukraine.
“We need action, not thoughts and prayers. People are not going to be helped by lighting up buildings in blue and yellow or pressing “like” on Facebook.
“If we are to stop Putin, we have to sanction Russian oil. It’s cowardice not to. Maybe petrol prices would go up. But we could cut petrol taxes.
“We are buying his cruise missiles which are killing women and children. Since the war began, we have sent enough money to Russia for them to buy 1,600 cruise missiles.”
When asked whether the UK had a duty to help Ukrainian refugees, Daniel said:
“In the EU, Ukrainians can go to any country for 3 years but in the UK you can only come if you have an immediate relative.
“When your neighbour’s house is on fire, you do not quibble over the price of water.”
Daniel’s wife Tania said:
“I can’t believe all this has happened. Ukraine is a democratic country. Yes, we have problems. But we have freedom of thought, freedom of protest, and freedom of speech. We had a normal life until Putin invaded.
“Putin claims he has invaded Ukraine to protest Russian speakers. But Russian speakers are not being persecuted in Ukraine. I speak Russian as well as Ukrainian. No-one was persecuting me. I did not need Putin to come and save me.”
“Ukraine is Europe’s shield. If Putin can invade such a large country with a silly excuse, what will he do next?”
When asked what those wanting to help should send to Ukrainian refugees, Tania said:
“Things that are useful, not bulky items like toilet rolls that can be bought easily across the border in Poland.
“We have to remember that it is women and children that are fleeing not men. 190 babies have been born in bomb shelters in Kyiv. It’s a challenge to breastfeed a baby in such conditions. Also, it can take as long as 3 days to cross the border in freezing conditions.
“We need baby formula, vitamins, medicine, and children’s clothes. We also need SiM cards so that refugees can tell their families back home that they have arrived safely.”
When asked for their most important message for the UK, Daniel and Tania said:
“Let in refugees. Stop funding armies.”
Good to see Bob doing something useful for a change.
You have escaped unimaginable terror. Watching the war on TV every day and seeing what Russia is doing to Ukraine is totally unacceptable. He is a deranged man who must be stopped. Glad you safely made it out but feel so very sad for all the people and animals who are left in Ukraine. God bless them all.
Omg what an enlightening article, thank you for this Daniel and Island Echo. I shall indeed write to Bob Seely. There are lots of people wanting to help Ukraine but at a loss as to what to do that really helps. If by sanctioning oil is what is needed so be it, if it costs us more, fine. I have my life thankfully, I can not imagine how the Ukraines must feel being forced from their homes and leave their families and Country. I hope this article brings Bob Seely many many emails.
Meanwhile all the self centred people on the Island are queuing for petrol……
Such an awful situation, due to one total deranged power seeking Jerk.
Glad you are safe ….
Thank you for your story.
I can’t even imagine what it is like to be amid this hell.
But I hope with the kindness of donations they know we are thinking of them …
Wish we could do more ….
Take care.
Absurdly tight controls on Ukrainians trying to come to this country. In fact, on the news today they said that only 50 visas had been issued against the thousands of applications!
However, paddle across the channel in a dinghy, and go straight to a hotel, etc, etc. at Taxpayers expense!
Sorry GB Government- doing something for these people!
yeah lets not vet them and let all the rapists and murderers in