A London student told of her terror as she was woken by the sounds of explosions and gunfire over Ukraine’s capital early on Thursday, adding: “I was in a panic.”
British-Ukrainian Valentina Butenko, 19, said roads out of Kiev were blocked as desperate families try to flee with children.
It came as dozens of protestors gathered outside the Russian embassy in Kensington waving flags and holding placards, including ones reading: “Stop Putin – stop war” and “Ukraine will never surrender”.
Ms Butenko, studying politics at University College London, returned to Ukraine a few weeks ago to join her father Vitaly, 51, helping with the security crisis.
Her mother Leonora Meriel, 43, an author, and 17-year-old brother Robert are increasingly concerned as they watch events from their home in Teddington.
Ms Butenko told the Standard: “I’m okay, we’re holding out.
“I was woken up at 5am by a huge explosion and then a bunch of gunfire. The sky lit up several times, although it seems to have calmed down slightly now. It was an unusual morning to say the least.
“There had been an expectation of military attacks in Ukraine.
“I can’t say anyone expected it to happen so immediately. It was a shock. I was in a panic.
“I live on the outskirts of Kiev so I expect it must have been pretty huge explosions for me to hear.”
Ms Butenko said many like her moved quickly from “panic to practicality” think about how to defend their country.
“It’s definitely a tense atmosphere,” she added. “Some friends have been sending disturbing footage of buildings on fire.
“We can’t believe this ridiculously shameless attack on a sovereign country is happening.”
Ms Butenko witnessed huge numbers leaving the Ukrainian capital in cars making it impossible to get out with main roads gridlocked.
“There’s been a fast mobilisation,” she said.
“People are texting each other about supplies, money and getting children out the city.
“The roads are currently blocked up with traffic. There are people trying to leave Kiev, especially those living close to the areas being attacked and have small children.
“They are trying to get to the West.”
But Ms Butenko said her family would stay in Kiev, commenting: “We’re doing what we can to help. I spent my whole childhood here.”
Melinda Simmons, Britain’s ambassador to Ukraine, urged UK nationals to leave immediately if “safe to do so from your location”.
But Nathan Rossiter, 31, his Ukrainian wife Lena, 24, and son Leo, five, still haven’t heard if they’ve been granted a family visa to escape to the UK.
Mr Rossiter, from Harlow, said: “I’m not feeling good. I could hear the explosions and air raid sirens from our hotel this morning.
“We’ve got a train booked tonight but don’t know whether to stay in Kiev or flee. Ukrainian air space is now closed to passenger flights.”
British teacher Harry Lee, who lives in Kharkiv 25 miles from the Russian border, said he wasn’t prepared to abandon his Ukrainian partner.
Mr Lee, from Cambridge, told Good Morning Britain: “I’ve set my life up here and I don’t want to turn my back on the country that I love.
“The bombing kind of woke us up. We went to the balcony and saw flashes in the background. It was a distant rumble and there was one that slightly shook the building.”
Asked what he would do if tanks reached the city, Mr Lee said: “We have suitcases packed and keep the car with a full tank.
“We’re now staying with my partner’s mum because she lives on the ground floor. So if we did have to get out quickly, it would be really convenient just to jump in the car and chuck the suitcases in and we’re on our way.”
