Ukraine: St Helens veteran describes devastation on humanitarian journey

Dean Owen, founder of St Helens-based veteran support network No Duff, travelled into Ukraine on Monday, April 11 to deliver humanitarian aid and assist with civilian casualties.

On his return to St Helens, Dean said that people "need to know" about the devastation of the Russian invasion.

Dean Owen has reported of shelled vehicles and destroyed buildings inside Ukraine

Bucha and Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, have been badly hit by the Russian invasion

After entering Ukraine through check-points in north-western Lviv, Dean and Ric Coulson, a veteran from Bradford, trekked to Bucha and Irpin, two cities on the outskirts of Kyiv.

Earlier in the month, there were reports of a "massacre" in Bucha with hundreds of bodies found after Vladimir Putin's troops withdrew from the region.

Witnessing the aftermath of the devastation, Dean reported seeing shelled vehicles left on the side of the road as well as destroyed homes and evacuated buildings.

A shelled van left on the side of the road

Inside an evacuated home

He added that civilians feel "numb" from the atrocities of war, but are "very grateful" for any donations to support them through this period.

With plans to return to Ukraine, Dean, from Sutton Heath and who has served in the military in Northern Ireland, said:

"We were told by numerous people that only 40% of aid gets through if they are lucky.

"The outlying villages and towns get very little supplies through.

Dean has been delivering humanitarian aid donated by the people of St Helens

"This will change with No Duff UK heading its 'Operation Sunflower' [where] medical supplies and other aid will be escorted to the villages and towns outside the cities."

To donate towards No Duff's fundraising efforts for Ukrainian supplies, visit this link

Dean and Ric in Ukraine