A Scots man who is trapped in Ukraine has spoken of his ordeal after travel document issues hindered his chance of fleeing Russia's 'full-scale' invasion of the country.
Sean Cusick from Glasgow says he, his wife and two-year-old son are stranded in Eastern Ukraine with 'no money' for food or rent and no means of escape until he and his family secure the right documentation.
Sean reunited with his partner, Chloe, in Ukraine in October last year after a period of time living apart.
The pair got married a month later and have been in the process of getting Chloe's travel documents to leave Ukraine ever since.
As Chloe does not have a valid national ID or passport, Sean contacted the Scottish Government and UK Government for help as tensions between Ukraine and Russian forces worsened.
The UK Government reportedly told Sean that only UK citizens residing in Ukraine can have their visa fees waived, meaning he is ineligible, as he does not reside in Ukraine.
No assistance could be offered to help obtain his wife's travel documents, either.
Sean says the ongoing military strikes also make it unlikely that his partner will be able to pick up the national ID she was meant to receive today which would allow her to renew her passport - meaning they are both stuck.
Sean said: "I need help... We were woken up at 4.45 in the morning with huge explosions and earthquakes... I felt them first then started to hear... a rumble... again and again.
"We've prepared our go-bags, we have a shelter nearby but we've been told by the authorities to stay home, told by the UK Government to stay home.
"All the airports in Ukraine have been attacked... civilian airspace is dead. I'll need to take a few days train journey just to get close to a border, the trains are currently running but... I don't have the money to get a train.
"I came to Ukraine to get married with my partner in October last year, we got married in November, ever since then we've been trying to leave.
"My partner and her child... she's been living in China for ten years, her son is two years old."
He continued: "We've been trying to leave, she doesn't have documents, she was supposed to pick up her national ID today but obviously that's probably not going to happen.
"She needs that ID to apply to renew her passport.
"We've been trying to contact the UK Government but the UK Government says they're going to waive visa fees for UK citizens that reside in the Ukraine. I don't reside in Ukraine so they said I'm not eligible.
"Like everyone else, I've been hit pretty hard by covid because of trying to get my partner out of China and then coming here.
"I have nothing. We don't have money for rent, we don't have money for food."
Sean has now set up a GoFundMe page where he hopes to raise enough money to evacuate his family from the danger zone.
The cost to expedite documents, get transport and flights and pay for medical bills and child care is coming in at a whopping £40,000 - over £2,000 of which has now been raised.
He wrote: "I am currently in Ukraine on a spousal visa, staying with my wife Chloe and her son Everett.
"You will all be aware of the escalating international crisis in Ukraine and the advice for all UK citizens to leave. However, what about those of us with families? I can't leave Chloe and Everett behind.
"Chloe's ID and passport are currently being updated to reflect her married name, consequently she has no valid travel ID. Chloe also has a medical condition that requires urgent treatment, including a blood transfusion.
"We urgently need money to expedite documents, get transport and flights, and pay for medical bills and child care.
"Please help my young family to evacuate to Britain."
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
To donate to Sean's fundraiser, click here.
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