Cairns local tells story as Russia-Ukraine crisis unfolds

As the Ukraine crisis unfolds, a Cairns local living in Moscow has told of his biggest fears while his family in the Far North express their concern about him living there.

AS the Ukraine crisis unfolds, a Cairns local living in Moscow has told of his biggest fears while his family in the Far North express their concern about him remaining there.

Restaurateur Sebbie Kenyon originally from Cairns moved to Moscow seven years ago where he now lives with partner Kristina Kochetkova and two children Iggy and Archie.

Sebbie said the city was in shock.

“Our biggest fear in Moscow is rogue attacks from patriotic Ukrainians,” he said.

“We have an eerie feeling in the city. That feeling you have is if we are going to get attacked here, it is going to be about a rogue attack.”

To evade any incidents, Sebbie said he was avoiding the metro but warned Russian people were most concerned because they felt they weren’t in the know.

Australian restaurateur Sebbie Kenyon with his partner Kristina and their son Iggy in their Moscow apartment. Source: Supplied

“The president and the government don’t really inform their people of what they are doing, that’s how it feels,” he said. “Mostly the city is in shock. A lot of people can’t believe it’s happening.

“It has escalated more than most people have wanted and a lot people are hurting more than I’ve ever seen.”

Sebbie said people were told Russia was going into Donetsk to protect Russians in that area.

“What we were told as people living in Russia, we were going to fight for Donetsk, and most of us thought it would be OK,” he said.

“But for Putin to start bombing different regions of Ukraine over the last couple of days, it has upset a lot of people.

Australian restaurateur Sebbie Kenyon’s son Iggy in the family’s Moscow apartment. Source: Supplied

Sebbie’s father Graham Kenyon from Cairns said he was concerned about his son.

“I am definitely worried about him, he’s a long way from home,” he said.

“This is the whole world involved in this and you never know what’s going to happen in the end (or) what Mr Putin is going to do..”

Graham said he talks to his son every day.

“I’ve got a grandchild that I have never met over there.”

Sebbie said protests in Moscow started immediately after Thursday’s invasion.

Australia, United Kingdom and the United States have begun to implement sanctions against Russia.

Sebbie who has 11 restaurants in Moscow said these sanctions would affect him deeply.

“Being in restaurants the sanctions are very scary, you can take away our products, then we can’t purchase anything,” he said.

Originally published as Cairns local tells story as Russia-Ukraine crisis unfolds