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Wartime angel - 8th March 2023

When Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022, millions were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge abroad. Fuminori Tsukiko, a Japanese tourist, was visiting Poland at the time but decided to head into Ukraine to see if he could be of help. At 75, his plan was not to take up arms but to try to support the people who had remained.

He travelled first to the capital Kyiv and then on to the war-torn city of Kharkiv.

Fuminori Tsukiko: "Kyiv and rebuild and Kharkiv – very good, very good. I like, I love Ukraine."

As Kharkiv was bombarded the people were forced to live underground. Tsukiko joined them sleeping in the subway system as Zoya Reshetnyak, a resident of Kharkiv, describes.

Zoya Reshetnyak: "He was sleeping next to us, talking to children, and they would understand him. They played together and children would hang on to him. He delved into our lives – lived through everything with us."

Forced to live underground for 9 months as the city was bombarded, Tsukiko sought ways to be of practical support to the Ukrainians whose lives he was sharing. He prepared breakfast for everyone and began raising money from Japan to purchase essentials for people.

Even though life has now returned above ground the residents of Kharkiv still appreciate his support. Tsukiko uses his growing social media profile to provide food and medicine for those who have remained in the city. His heart is wholly committed to the people of Kharkiv where he is now a local hero.

Fuminori Tsukiko: "I support by Japan. Many, many people support in Ukraine people – very good, very good. I don't escape, I don't escape. I lived in Kharkiv – not come back to Japan."