SEVERAL people from Bradford are prepared to go over to Ukraine and help with their military efforts, according to a leading figure within the community.

Club director of The Bradford Ukrainian Club, on Legrams Lane, Ewhen Chymera believes no refugees have arrived in the city yet but there are those willing to go the other way and help the war-torn country.

Today marks the sixth day of conflict between Russia and Ukraine after the former began their invasion almost a week ago now.

An outpouring of support has resounded across the UK in recent days for Ukraine, and no more so than in Bradford.

Local football clubs, communities, and the Council have all played their part.

Bradford City stood with the Eastern European nation during their match with Mansfield Town at Valley Parade on Saturday by hosting a minute’s applause on the half an hour mark.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be doing the same in their West Yorkshire derby against Farsley Celtic at Horsfall on Wednesday, as well as taking donations for the Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal.

Bradford Council also showed its support over the weekend by lighting up City Hall in the Ukrainian colours of blue and yellow.

As for Bradford’s Ukrainians themselves, they were busy up in Manchester getting involved in a peace rally on Saturday where almost 1,000 people, from all nationalities, turned out to show their support and listen to what local MPs and councillors had to say about the ongoing situation.

Mr Chymera was one of those in attendance and is grateful for all the support his country is currently receiving, including some even offering their services on the frontline.

It was reported on Sunday that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky urged those wanting to do so to head to Ukrainian embassies worldwide and sign up for an “international brigade” of volunteers.

Mr Chymera said: “We all appreciate the warmth and support we are getting; it is incredible.

"We have had several requests from people asking how you can sign up.

"Ukraine have effectively set up an international brigade. They are allowing people to sign up.

"We know there are a couple of individuals at least who have shown interest from the Bradford area to go help Ukraine in their military efforts.”

The Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal, which is generating funds for medical supplies and relief, is amazingly on its way to reaching the £1 million mark (£876,176 at time of writing).

Mr Chymera described the impact of the invasion on his family over there and discussed the struggles those who are trying to flee Ukraine are going through.

He added: “I spoke to my cousins who live in Lviv. They are all in their mid-20s and were doing what they could to clean out bomb shelters on Friday and Saturday waiting for the sirens to go up.

“I don’t know of any refugees who have come to Bradford because they simply cannot, there is no avenue for them to do that at this time.

“The big thing for us is the UK government’s response to refugees has been poor. Ukrainians are looking for support, let’s help them.

“People out there have decided not to cross the border because the future is uncertain.

"Given the male member of that family cannot go with them, effectively it is woman and children crossing the border. They are maybe not confident or ready to come on their own.

“If they were okay to come to the UK, more would come because they’d know they were coming to stay with family.

“They have the intentions to go back. They would not be coming here to settle; they are Almost 1,000 people, from all nationalities, attended fleeing a warzone.”