A TERRIFIED mum has told of her anguish at being unable to contact her son in war-torn Ukraine after mobile networks were destroyed.
Nataliia Yakymenko, of Landguard Road, Shirley in Southampton, said the Russian invasion of Ukraine left her fearing for her son's life.
Ilya Yakymenko, 23, and Nataliia's mother Nadya Shafranova, 71, were last known to be hiding in a basement underground to give themselves the best chance of survival.
They run the risk of starvation with supermarkets being empty and tanks blocking delivery drivers, she said.
Nataliia, 46, said: "Monday night my mother phoned to say goodbye which was very hard.
"We're very scared because loud bombs are dropping near her house.
"My son is an IT student at the polytechnic university.
"He may have to go and fight. We haven't seen each other since November 2021.
"People are either hiding in a cellar underground to stay safe or making makeshift weapons to protect themselves and their family.
"Going outside is very dangerous because missiles are dropping everywhere and roads are blocked by Russian tanks."
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Her husband Sergejs Ruckobskis, 51, added: "They're worried about food.
"People are queuing in supermarkets for over three hours. If I was in the Ukraine, I would be going to fight.
"I need to fight for my family. I want to be able to support them.
"We feel lucky because we’re safe here but it’s better to be with our family."
Nataliia and Sergejs, who run cleaning franchise Daily Poppins in Winchester, lost contact with their family in Ukraine on Tuesday after mobile networks were destroyed.
Sergejs added: "We spoke to mum and son three days ago.
"They were sad and crying because they're scared of dying. They're hiding in a basement underground.
"It's horrible. It's very stressful and so sad. We're finding it difficult to work and we are not sleeping."
It comes as the Polish community in Southampton rallied to support Ukraine - with huge quantities of aid being sent to Poland for those fleeing.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Keith Mans said: “As the world watches events unfold further in Ukraine, across Hampshire we all send our thoughts and prayers to the Ukrainian people, including those who are living in Hampshire.
"None of us would have expected to have seen such hostilities in Europe in these modern times, and we condemn the attacks on Ukraine’s innocent citizens.
“Hampshire County Council, in common with the rest of the country, is watching the concerning situation in Ukraine and stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and communities affected by this conflict.
"Should Government seek our support, we will assist as needed - building on our experience of supporting refugees and evacuees from previous conflicts.”
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