A 14-year-old Ukrainian boy lately arrived within the U.S. after fleeing the nation alone following Russia's invasion late final month.
Illia Ishchenko-Leshchynskyl is now staying along with his aunt in Southern California, and has been there for just a little greater than every week, KABC-TV reported. He advised the station that his journey lasted three days.
"This was so lengthy and exhausting for me, however I am right here, and that is so good," he stated.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has triggered 10 million folks to flee Ukraine within the weeks since Russia launched its assault, United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi stated in a Twitter publish Sunday. Of these, greater than 1.5 million youngsters have fled for the reason that begin of the invasion, in line with UNICEF.
The teenager's aunt, Olena Zdorovska, advised KABC that her sister known as her and advised her that she was going to place her son on a bus and ship him to stick with her within the U.S.
It was an emotional second when he lastly arrived, Zdorovska stated.
"Cry, cry, cry cry, and simply subsequent day we begin to communicate," Zdorovska stated. "We did not communicate loads first night. I used to be very joyful to hug him. And I used to be actually afraid when he was within the bus."
Ishchenko-Leshchynskyl stated that the remainder of his household is scattered all through the globe, KABC reported. His mom, grandmother and little brother are in Berlin, Germany, however his father has remained within the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
"My entire household, besides my dad, is in a [safe] place," he stated.
He stated that he misses his mother and father and brother and has stored in contact with them over the cellphone, in line with KABC. He added that he is "unhappy" about being separated from them however is joyful to be within the U.S.
His household's determination to ship him away on the onset of the lethal bombings displays a bigger sample amongst Ukrainians confronted with a call between leaving house and probably risking harm or demise from the assaults. Even the prospect of receiving support has not deterred some from leaving, Grandi stated in a tweet.
"Humanitarians are doing all they will in Ukraine to achieve folks in want, usually in harmful circumstances. Nevertheless, folks proceed to flee as a result of they're afraid of bombs, airstrikes and indiscriminate destruction," Grandi stated. "Support is significant however cannot cease worry. Solely stopping the conflict can."
Newsweek reached out to the UNHCR for remark however didn't hear again by publication time.
Replace 3/21/22, 11:18 a.m. ET: This story was up to date with extra info and background.
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