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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Magdalene Dalziel

Judge Rinder meets Strictly star's grandparents at Ukraine border after vowing to rescue them

Judge Robert Rinder has reunited with his Strictly partner's grandparents in Ukraine.

As we reported last week, the criminal barrister was planning to travel to the border of the war-torn eastern European country today (Monday) to help Oksana Platero's loved ones get to a safe place.

The TV legal expert has been true to his word and today shared a picture of him sitting with Oksana's gran, who is 95 and in a wheelchair.

Ukraine has been besieged by Russian troops since the invasion three weeks ago.

Robert, 43, won praise from fans when he revealed his good samaritan proposals, as reports the Mirror.

Captioning the photo Robert wrote: "Oksana’s grandma is 95. She spent a week fleeing Russian shelling & FINALLY crossed the Polish border with no wheelchair, food or medical supplies but she is resolute & strong.

"She remembers the last war & knows that ultimately they will return home and Tyranny will fail."

Robert's post was met with a barage of support from his followers, with many congratulating the lawyer for his efforts.

One wrote: "Oh you've found them!"

While another said: "Amazing effort," followed by a heart emoji.

Oksana's grandparents join more than two million Ukrainians, who have fled their country during the devastating attacks.

Prior to travelling to the country Robert wrote: "Oksana Platero my Ukrainian dance partner on @bbcstrictly gifted me so much.

"Right now her grandparents are a week into their struggle to find sanctuary in a safe country.

"I'll be trying to meet them on the border next week. They're just a few of the millions who need us."

He added: "Depends on where they make it to but I'll be at the Polish border from Monday.

"If they cross into Hungary the next step will be getting them to safety with their family."

Robert and Oksana, 33, managed to reach the quarter-final of Strictly together in 2016.

Last week the dancer took to Instagram, imploring her followers to help all Ukrainians, who were caught up in the attacks.

Judge Robert Rinder and Oksana Platero became very close during the 2016 Strictly show (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

She wrote: "Dear Friends, as you already know, many families are going through such hardship with the war in Ukraine. My family and my cousins, @kateryna_klishyna, family are escaping and close to the border.

"My mother, my 10 year old brother, and Kateryna's sister, left their home the morning of March 2nd and arrived to safety March 6th.

"As you can imagine, the journey there was brutal but all that matters is that they made it, and they are safe. We are forever grateful to still have them as we know so many who can't say the same.

"The rest of our family which include our 3 grandparents, 2 who are not able to walk, and Kateryna's mom and dad are still in danger as they are currently still trying to escape. We are praying that they will make it out of Ukraine and into safety soon."

A spokesman for the Ukrainian president's office has hinted at progress, saying Ukraine is pushing for an immediate ceasefire.

Russia continues its bombardment of many Ukrainian cities, with two people said to have been killed in a strike on a block of flats in the capital Kyiv.

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