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Wales Online
Wales Online
World
Cathy Owen

Ukraine mums writing names and contact details on children's bodies so they can be identified if the worst happens

This is two-year-old Vira Makoviy with her name and parents' contact details scrawled in black ink on her back. It is a note her terrified parents wrote in case the worst happened.

They wanted to make sure their precious daughter got help if they got separated or were killed in the conflict in Ukraine.

Speaking through tears mum Sasha, 33, simply said: "I decided to put the information on Vira's back because I was really scared. She is the most precious thing in my life so I couldn't imagine if we lost each other."

READ MORE: 160,000 people trapped in Mariupol with no water

The desperate family are among millions who have had to leave their homes since Russia invaded their country in February.

It is one of the many images from Ukraine that has sent shockwaves around the world. Broadcaster Nick Robinson said: "There have been so many images from Ukraine which make you stop and gulp but this really moved me. A mother has written her name and family contact details on the back of her daughter so she can be identified if the worst happens."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that the image "strengthens the resolve for all of us". The images that shocked the world after Russians left Ukrainian city.

Speaking on Sky News, Sajid Javid said: "What we are seeing unfolding now in Ukraine is absolutely appalling.

"These atrocities we are now sadly seeing almost daily on our TV screens, and the image you just talked of, when I first saw that image, I think yesterday, you know, it could have been my daughter, it could be anyone's daughter, their son, just to think that's what parents are having to do in Ukraine right now because the choice that Vladimir Putin has made, and we should never forget this as a choice.

"This was not a a war for any other reason than something that Vladimir Putin had just chosen to do. We will continue to help Ukraine in every way that we can, whether that's military support, whether it's with support of our sanctions on Russia and humanitarian support."

When asked if he would support a regime change in Russia, Mr Javid said: "It's ultimately up to the Russian people about the leadership of their country, but I do think the Prime Minister, our Prime Minister, was right yesterday to appeal directly to the Russian people in the way that he did."

His comments come as the humanitarian situation in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol is worsening and 160,000 people are trapped there without water or other essentials, while fighting and airstrikes continue.

That's the grim assessment being made by the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday (April 6). In an intelligence update issued at 5.35am this morning, the MoD said: "Heavy fighting and Russian airstrikes have continued in the encircled city of Mariupol. The humanitarian situation in the city is worsening.

"Most of the 160,000 remaining residents have no light, communication, medicine, heat or water. Russian forces have prevented humanitarian access, likely to pressure defenders to surrender."

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