Australian family in Ukraine bunker must make terrifying choice as visas issued

An Australian Ukrainian family with Sydney and Melbourne ties are stuck in a bunker, and have a terrifying choice to make after they were granted a visa to return home.

An Australian Ukrainian family, sheltering in an underground railway station bunker in Kharkiv, have been granted a visa to return to Australia within just hours of applying.

But the biggest problem now for the family of four, who are too scared to be identified, is somehow finding safe passage to and across the Ukrainian border. They had been debating whether it was safer to stay hidden or to run. Now they are being told Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 years old are not being allowed out of the country.

Mother of two Rebecca, (not her real name) said it leaves them with another terrible decision to split the family and or stay together. And if they all try to run for it, they will have to leave behind their in-laws and their pets.

Some of their friends who have fled reported dodging bombs and explosions on the road while some have crashed their cars in their desperate escape bid. Yet others have faced dozens of military vehicles.

Australian citizens have been sheltiering in an underground bunker in Kharkiv. Picture: Supplied

Trapped Australians in an underground bunker in Kharkiv. Picture: Supplied

The Australian Government is overseeing the fast tracking of decisions for hundreds of applications that have been received since Russia invaded Ukraine this week.

Ukrainian citizens who have applied for Australian visas have been pushed to the “top of the pile” following the recent Russian invasion according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mr Morrison said about 430 applications already made for a number of different visa categories visas and they will be prioritised.

It comes as Immigration Minister Alex Hawke met with Ukrainian community leaders and said he was considering further options for support for Ukraine through humanitarian, skilled, student and other visa programs.

“The Australian government remains committed to working in partnership with the Ukrainian-Australian community during this evolving situation,” Mr Hawke said in a statement.

Soem of the makeshift beds set up in an underground bunker in Kharkiv. Picture: supplied

Trapped Australians in an underground bunker in Kharkiv. Picture: Supplied

“We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us and acted so quickly,” said Rebecca (not her real name) the mum of a 14 year old autistic son and 16 year old daughter.

“I am feeling guilty for not running in the first few hours. Now we have some vision of what is happening I am scared of running into troops…

“I am hoping for a humanitarian corridor…I don’t want to be shot on the road.”

Rebecca and her mum and dad and siblings immigrate to Australia in 1997. She completed a degree in accounting and lived in Melbourne and Sydney.

She got married and had two children and Rebecca said her husband who was also Ukrainian born want to return to Ukraine and try living in their home country.

But when she returned their marriage split up and she was left with the children. Rebecca said she didn’t want to be a burden on her family in Australia so she struggled on in Ukraine eventually finding a job and happiness again with her second husband.

Rebecca and the children were due to visit Australia before Covid-19 swept the world.

Now she doesn’t know how they will make it out.

“My hands are shaking as we talk, it is the responsibility for making decisions for my children and husband… that is so scary. “

Originally published as Australian family in Ukraine bunker must make terrifying choice as visas issued