A Newcastle-born researcher who lives in Kyiv says we are seeing levels of atrocity not seen before following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Jonathon Turnbull moved to the Ukrainian capital three years ago to conduct his PHD research focused on dogs in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
He is currently in Newcastle, having returned to the UK days before the invasion took place and is now attempting to raise funds for charities on the ground in the country.
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Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant has an exclusion zone of a 30km radius around it following a disaster in 1986, in which Jonathon has worked with charity Clean Futures Fund.
The charity fed, spayed, neutered and vaccinated more than 1,500 dogs which are descendants of those left behind following the disaster, as well as rehoming around 40 to the US and Canada through an adoption programme.
Jonathon said: "Right now, I know a few of the dogs that lived with people in the zone are okay. But it's hard to be in contact with anyone there, and I don't think anyone has an idea what's going on with the free roaming dogs, even the charity I worked with."
Russia has completely occupied the nuclear power plant and it has been disconnected from the power supply. The invasion has caused also destruction across several cities in Ukraine, which Jonathon has described as "devastating".
He said: "It's a bit of a cliché but it's so hard to describe. It's absolutely devastating to see these places being destroyed. All of these places that you know so well and care about are being violated.
"Every morning I'm reading the news and it's impossible to process really and put into words. Hospitals are being destroyed, a museum with my favourite artists was destroyed and burned. It's devastating."
Jonathon set up a crowdfunding page on March 2 to support humanitarian aid and refugee support groups on the ground in Ukraine and it has already raised more than £4,800.
He is also collaborating with the People's Film Club and Migration Collective for a showing of The Earth is Blue as an Orange at the Tyneside Cinema on Sunday March 20. The film is set in the Donbas region following a single mother and her four children as they live their lives under siege.
He said: "I've got a list of several Ukrainian charities. Any donations are good, there's places like Unicef and Red Cross you can give to. I've found friends right now are saying I know someone who needs a piece on his body armour, so for me, it's much more effective to send it directly to them or charities in Ukraine rather than big international ones.
"Some are cooking for soldiers and need to buy cabbages, and others are working with refugees. The money from my fundraiser will be very direct, while the money raised from the film is going to Voices with Children, which is a Ukrainian Charity."
Karolina, Jonathon's girlfriend is studying in the Netherlands but members of her family, including her granny, with whom Jonathon has a close relationship, are still in Ukraine. And Jonathon and Karolina intend to return to the country in the future.
He continued: "So many people want this to be over and to return. It's hard to think that this will be a long and protracted process. For someone like me who has been there for three years, it's very different to people whose entire lives were there.
"It's really hard seeing a community be destroyed - seeing it drained of life, it's hard to find the exact words to describe that."
As well as raising money for charities in Ukraine, Jonathon's letter to Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah to express his anger at the Government's refugee policy was read out in parliament, with reports that families are being turned away from the UK.
He finished: "I do think we're watching a war that's not just about Ukraine. It's already dragged the whole world into it."
To give to charities on the ground in Ukraine through Jonathon's fundraiser, click here. For more information on the Tyneside Cinema's fundraiser, click here.
