Robert Rinder has shared heartbreaking photos of himself being united with former Strictly Dance Partner Oksana Platero’s family who have escaped war-torn Ukraine as he continues to report from the front line.
The 43-year-old criminal barrister and TV star took it upon himself to offer support and assistance to 33-year-old Ukrainian professional dancer Oksana’s family as the Strictly star is trapped by work commitments in the USA while war ravages her home country due to Vladimir Putin ’s illegal invasion of the European nation.
The Judge Rinder star – who was partnered with Oksana in season 14 of Strictly back in 2016 – has been updating fans and followers via social media as he sought to find his friend’s family members and bring them supplies.
On Wednesday, he revealed that he had finally managed to track down Oksana’s grandmother and aunt who have been displaced by the war.
Sharing photos via Instagram of his tearful meeting with his dance partner’s family members, Rob wrote: “Oksana’s family: Auntie Lidya and Grandma Zoya.
“We managed to reach them this morning with a wheelchair & some medical supplies.. Despite having nearly nothing.. they are ‘grateful for everything’.”
His post has been met with messages of support – with fellow Strictly 2016 star Daisy Lowe writing: “Absolutely incredible” along with a string of red heart emojis.
While a fan commented: “Oh my goodness, this warms my heart. Well done for your tenacity and determination. Hopefully they'll be safe and well very soon.”
Rob has been documenting every step of his trip to the Poland/Ukraine border where he has met many other refugees whose lives have been thrown into chaos by Russia ’s invasion.
He previously shared a photo of Oksana’s grandmother, writing online: “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."
He also spoke on ITV earlier this week as he gave details of Oksana’s family’s struggles.
Rob sadi: "It's been such a gift to be able to give something back to Oksana - as silly as it is against this background - there was such joy in Strictly and I loved every bit of it.
"Then I discovered that her family were trying to flee Ukraine, avoiding shelling and managed to cross the border a couple of days ago."
He continued: "This is a story that illustrates the situation people find themselves in. The 95-year-old grandma doesn't have a wheelchair, so we have to source that. They don't have their medication.
"Hopefully, we're going to get hold of as much as we can and finally go and reunite them with he stuff they need tomorrow morning."
Fans are thrilled that he managed to succeed – with one writing under his update of his photos with Oksana’s family on Tuesday: “Utterly heartbreaking however you are an inspiration and making such a huge difference... thank you for everything you’re doing.”
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