Two landscapers from Scotland have claimed they have been 'raided' by Russia after helping families escape Ukraine.
Gary Taylor, 45, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, and his colleague Joseph McCarthy, 55, had travelled out to Ukraine to provide aid and assistance from their van.
With the eyes of the world on the Russian invasion, the pair had hoped to help the people of Ukraine in any way possible, including driving people to safety.
Sharing updates from their social media account on TikTok, Gary has been documenting their missions, which have so far included buying a new van to transport more people.
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According to the Record, last week the men had been headed for the north-eastern city of Sumy, which has been under heavy shelling from Russian forces.
However, in a message on her personal profile, Joe's wife Fiona said the pair had found themselves in trouble after encountering a Russian convoy.
Explaining the ordeal in a video,she said the tyres on their van had been shot out and the van had been "raided".
In a tearful address, Fiona said: "Guys, they won't be back online. They've had their van raided.
"They've shot the tyres out, two front tyres. They've taken Joe's phone, so all they've got left is Gary's phone.
"They definitely not be back online because the TikTok was all on Joe's phone.
"I'll keep you updated as much as I can but please, keep praying for them, thank you."
Thankfully, Fiona later confirmed that the pair were safe - but were now travelling on "two wheels" having lost two tyres to Russian gunfire.
She added: "They're safe for now. They're all good for now."
Earlier on Sunday, Fiona said Gary and Joe had managed to enter Sumy with the help of Ukrainian cops.
She said: "They have managed to get into Sumi. All the roads were blocked off but they've managed to get a police escort in.
"But they're now stuck behind the large convoy of army vehicles going in.
"It's going to be a wee while until they get to the families they're picking up."
However, a few hours later she said the pair had to turn back as the Russian army had fired warning shots in their direction.
Fiona added: "Unfortunately they won't be able to get to the families.
"I think they're safe-ish for now but there's troops and troops of Russian army passing by them.
"Please pray for them. Thank you so much for all your love."
A GoFundMe page launched to help cover Joe and Gary's costs of travelling to Ukraine and providing locals with supplies has raised over £17,000 to date.
British nationals have been told not to travel to Ukraine in the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice.
Any Brits still in the country are advised to register with the British Embassy, which has relocated from Kyiv to Lviv amid intense fighting in the Ukrainian capital.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, head of Britain's armed forces, said earlier on Sunday that people wanting to help with the Ukraine situation should consider alternatives to travelling to the country itself.
He told the BBC : "We've been very clear that it's unlawful as well as unhelpful for UK military and for the UK population to start going towards Ukraine in that sense.
"Support from the UK, support in whatever way you can. But this isn't really something that you want to rush to in terms of the sound of gunfire. This is about sensible support based in the UK."
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: "The safety of British nationals in Ukraine is a top priority. Specially trained UK crisis response teams have been sent to countries neighbouring Ukraine to support our consular operations.
"We advise British nationals to leave Ukraine immediately if they judge it is safe to do so. Our travel advice continues to be updated with the latest guidance, and those requiring assistance should call +380 44 490 3660 or +44 (0)1908 516666."
