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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Robert Rinder finally reunites with Strictly star's grandparents at Ukraine border

Judge Robert Rinder has finally reunited with his Strictly Come Dancing partner's grandparents in war-torn Ukraine.

The country has been defending itself against Russian invasion since February and Robert, 43, told fans last week he was doing his best to reach the elderly couple.

Thankfully, the criminal barrister has now reunited with the pair and shared a pic of Oksana Platero's grandma sitting in a wheelchair in a field.

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 flurry 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.

Robert Rinder has helped Oksana Platero's grandparents to flee Ukraine (@talkRADIO/Twitter)
The pair were partners on Strictly (BBC / Guy Levy)

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."

They became good friends on the show (PA)

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.

He's a criminal barrister (ITV)

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

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.

However 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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