A Scots council worker has come under fire while in Ukraine helping to rescue civilians.
Grzegorz Rybak, 45, travelled to to the war-torn country at the start of December after arranging leave with Edinburgh council. Using a van he fundraised to buy in Edinburgh, the care support worker has been helping to deliver aid in Kramatorsk and also rescuing any residents looking to escape.
He says the Ukranian troops and the remaining residents in Kramatorsk are under constant barrage and have little food, reports Edinburgh Live.
He said: "I am not safe, they keep shooting and bombarding. They were shooting at us. Mercenaries shell residential buildings all the time."
It took Grzegorz three plane journeys and several train connections before he arrived in Ukraine but once there he hooked up with Andrew Bagshaw, a scientist from New Zealand who's been co-ordinating humanitarian efforts in Ukraine since May.
Andrew said there are no Red Cross or UN relief agencies operating in Donbass, the greater region in which Donetsk lies, so he and Grzegorz and a handful of others are providing the only aid to civilians.
Andrew said: "Locals have repaired our vehicle for free.
"Sometimes a family will agree to get out, but the grandmother, perhaps, refuses to budge, so the family have to decide whether to leave her."
Grzegorz is optimistic about Ukraine's chances of victory but Andrew expects the conflict to last for osme time yet.
He said: "Andrew doesn't speak Russian but I do!" says Grzegorz, who learned the language at primary school in Poland, and still listens to Russian bands. He currently sings with BRUK, an Edinburgh-based anti-fascist punk band, raising funds for the Polish NHS.
"We need wheelchairs, food, clothing, and tyres for our vehicle," says Grzegorz, who even bought his own safety helmet and flak jacket.
"Because of my social work training, I was the right person in the right place at the right time, and I want to pay tribute to the council for this, and for letting me off work to come here. And most of all, I need to thank my Polish friends in Edinburgh, who have raised nearly £2000 for the support which we are delivering."
Grzegorz recently helped to evacuate a woman Ira and her two children and says it would not be possible if he were not recieving help from people in Edinburgh who had donated £1842 in the days beforehand.
He appreciates their efforts and asks that people continue to donate via his Facebook page.
He added: "We bought evacuation stretchers today to equip our van and a shopping list for Ira, who sold us the vehicle.
"She asked for sugar, sweets and bread. I will also buy some underpants with the donated money, which no one asks for, but are always gratefully accepted.
"I will also bring Ira a voice message from her daughter from Transcarpathia, begging her to evacuate. Ira still has lots of cats, for which transport is already organized and new homes are being sought."
Grzegorz spirit keeps him going and he even finds time for some humour.
He said: "On Sunday we fix lights, wipers, and side doors. We will also try to buy tyres eventually. Our appetite grows with each donation and I don't stop asking for money. I am desperate for a liqueur!"
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