THE Ukrainian owner of a Hereford business has spoken out about the "turmoil" she is in after Russia launched a "full-scale invasion" of her home country.
Nataliya Cummings, who runs the tourism company Experience Ukraine & Beyond in the Whitecross Road area, says she has been on the phone with her mother in Ukraine.
Today is her mum's 60th birthday, but both were in floods of tears as they spoke, just hours after Russia launched what has been described as a "full-scale invasion" on the Eastern European country.
Boris Johnson said the “hideous and barbaric venture” of Russian President Vladimir Putin “must end in failure”, with the Ministry of Defence saying this afternoon that more than 80 Russian strikes on Ukrainian targets had been recorded.
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The Prime Minister said: “It’s because we’ve been so alarmed in recent months at Russian intimidation that the UK became one of the first countries in Europe to send defensive weaponry to help the Ukrainians.
“Other allies have now done the same and we will do what more we can in the days ahead.
“Today, in concert with our allies we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy. And to that end, we must also collectively cease the dependence on Russian oil and gas that for too long has given Putin his grip on Western politics.
“Our mission is clear. Diplomatically, politically, economically, and eventually, militarily, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.”
But for Mrs Cummings, who is originally from Zdolbuniv in the northwest of the country, near its border with Belarus and Poland, she is worried about her parents who still live there.
She said: "It’s my mum's birthday today, a big 60.
"I was waiting to call her and wish her all the best things in the world because she deserves them, but instead we were both crying on a phone.
"And then my mum said at least we will all remember the day very well.
"Just can't simply put into words the turmoil I am in right now but need to stay strong."
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In a post earlier this week on her Facebook page, before Russia started to invade Ukraine, she said her heart was sinking when she thought about the future of her motherland.
She said no one deserves war, especially the beautiful place and people of Ukraine.
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Mrs Cummings, who is trying to raise money to help those affected, added: "Things that are happening right now round Ukraine feel like a worst nightmare. But panicking about it is no help to anyone.
"We must stay calm and help people that need this help the most. We have been raising money for organisation MOLOTOK that is based in Nyzhnje Selyshche for over 10 years.
"They are now temporary sheltering young people and families from Eastern Ukraine from the village Vrubovka, that is on the border with occupied terrorizes and was under fire on February 20."
To support Ms Cummings in her fundraising for the children and young people in eastern Ukraine, visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpyoungpeopleofukraine
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