British family with new baby trapped as Russia prepares to invade in 'four days'

Ken Stewart, 54, and his Ukrainian wife Tania, 36, are stuck in the country as their newly born son, Douglas, has yet to obtain travel documents. American intelligence agencies have revealed a Russian invasion of Ukraine is on the table, with the move coming in just days. Russia has vehemently denied it has any intention of invading its southern neighbour, which has also downplayed the notion.

The baby, who was born just days ago is still in hospital with his mother as the situation unfolds.

At least 12 nations, including Britain, have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine in recent days.

Of the estimated 6,000 British families living in Ukraine, many are believed to have left the country following the advice being issued.

The United States has recently downgraded many of its embassy staff in Kiev to essential personnel only.

Many leaving Ukraine have headed to Poland, yet some have vowed to stand firm in their homes.

For Mr Stewart, who remains at home outside Kiev, with his other child, a three-year-old daughter, the situation continues.

Speaking to The Sunday Mirror he said: “Our son Douglas was born on Monday and Tania is still recovering in hospital.

“Our plan was to leave but we are in a difficult situation since we do not yet have Douglas’ birth certificate.

“That can take one or two weeks here- and that’s without there being a war so who knows how long that will take?

“I am waiting until they come home and then I think we may leave and head west, where Tania has relatives.

“So I will stay here for a day or so and see what happens and then try and get away just to be safe.

“I am being practical. This is a bizarre situation.

“It’s strange because they have been telegraphing an invasion for such a long time.

“Who does that? I am keeping a close eye on the situation.”

READ MORE:
Putin’s three ‘catastrophic’ options from Ukraine invasion

Another British ex-pat, Peter Dickinson, 45 and his wife Suzanna, 29, and their three children are also planning to leave Kiev.

Mr Dickinson, originally from Buckinghamshire said: “The evacuation advice has sparked a lot of concern but few of the Brits I have spoken to are going anywhere just yet.

“Many like me have made their lives here and it would not be just leaving a place where we live – it would be leaving our homes and livelihoods.

“The embassy would not be asking us to get out unless they hadn’t seen compelling evidence that something very bad is about to happen- and that’s what concerns us.

“We might get the children home to stay with my parents in the UK or take a week or two break somewhere – but we will not be dashing to the airport just yet.

“If bombs start falling on Kiev I may well regret my decision but that’s a risk Putin is making us all take.”

DON’T MISS:
Putin’s war threat to cause ‘millions of refugees’ [OPINION]
Police launch urgent manhunt after woman SCALPED in London [REPORT]
British Airways fury: Angry seat row breaks out [REVEAL]

British man Stuart Mackenzie added: “My plan will be to get my kids to safety then come back to help the Ukrainians in any way I can.

“That may mean organising or working with them but it might also mean picking up a gun.

“I am prepared to do that because it’s the Russian who are the aggressors.”

DO YOU THINK RUSSIA WILL INVADE UKRAINE? DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS OR FAMILY IN UKRAINE? WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN THIS SITUATION? JOIN THE DEBATE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BY CLICKING HERE. EVERY VOICE MATTERS!

Sean Kelly, a 53-year-old dad of two, has lived in Kiev for 26 years.

He said: “I am disgusted by what Putin is doing to our friends in Ukraine and will do everything in my power to support them.

“He has painted himself into a corner to the point where everyone is expecting an attack at any moment.

“If that happens I would be willing to take up arms and fight for Ukraine.
“I would do anything I can to help them.”

British nationals have been advised not to expect any military assistance in leaving the country.

Junior defence minister James Heappey said: “British nationals should leave Ukraine immediately by any means possible and they should not expect, as they saw in the summer with Afghanistan, there would be any possibility of a military evacuation.”

source: express.co.uk