A Bangor man has issued a plea to Russian people living in Northern Ireland as he fears for the safety of his fiance in Ukraine.
Kristopher Leckey has been with his partner Artem for the past three years after the couple met while working for Carnival Cruise Line together. However, the pair have not been able to reunite in recent months as Artem has to stay in the Ukraine due to the conflict as all men aged 18 to 60 are not allowed to leave.
Kristopher said Artem is currently working in a kitchen in Kyiv where he is supporting those who have stayed in the city.
Read more: Northern Ireland man travels to Ukrainian border to help people stay connected amid conflict
Speaking to Belfast Live, he said: "For the past few months my fiance Artem has been in the Ukraine working in a kitchen during the conflict as all men of a certain age are not allowed to leave.
"I feel helpless with worry about him everyday as you never know what could happen. Those living there are being forced to sleep in apartment corridors in order to protect them and give them a buffer from the possibility of being hit by an air strike.
"Because of this I want to ask all Russian people living in Northern Ireland to speak to their families at home about the devastation that has been going on where thousands of innocent civilians have been killed. They have the ability to do that here and not be arrested. People need to know what is going on because they are not being told in Russia."
Kristopher said that his partner Artem has been to Northern Ireland on a number of occasions and loves to spend time here.
He has also been touched to see the outpouring of support for the people of Ukraine coming from those living here.
Kristopher continued: "Artem has been over to visit Northern Ireland a few times and just loves it here.
"He has told me that it has been especially nice to see how much support there has been for the people of Ukraine and how people have been fundraising and doing all they can to help. It really means so much to him.
"I don't think we understand just how bad it has been for people over there and I hope that something can be done soon to bring this conflict to and end and we can see each other once again."
Read more: Ukrainian student who reluctantly fled to NI after Russian invasion returns to Kyiv
Read more: Co Armagh schoolkids raise over £12,000 for Ukraine crisis
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