Strictly Come Dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin has opened up on the agony of being separated from his grandma who lives in Ukraine.
During an appearance on ITV’s morning show Lorraine, Nikita described watching the conflict unfold as “absolutely heartbreaking”, as he went on to share how he is in contact with his grandma “all the time.”
The 23 year old, who moved from Ukraine to Italy with his family when he was nine years old, explained: “Luckily, we still have a connection to her so we are video calling her all the time.”
Nikita, who made his debut on Strictly Come Dancing last year, went on to share how terrifying it is to hear gunshots and explosions in the background as he fears for her safety.
However, he added that his grandma is constantly trying to “protect” him and the rest of his family from the true brutality.
He explained: “She’s actually trying to protect us from being scared and every time we can hear gunshots or explosions in the background, she’s always telling us that it’s a movie that she’s put on her TV.”
The young star continued: “Only afterwards, a couple of hours later, she’s confessing actually that those were real bombings, real gunshots. It’s incredibly scary.”
Nikita also told Lorraine how heartbreaking it is to see the streets he grew up on devastated by war.
After hearing the latest news from his home country, Nikita said he needed to “compose” himself.
At the beginning of the interview as Lorraine asked how he was feeling, Nikita replied: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking. I’m just trying to contain myself, drink a bit of water and be composed.”
He went on to say: “To see the streets where I grew up, where many of the Ukrainians grew up…”
“I recognise the streets and just now see them being bombed, being gone over by tanks and fighting on the streets is absolutely heartbreaking. It’s wrong on so many levels.”
The professional dancer then took the opportunity to share ways which people in the UK can help.
Become an OK! VIP and see all our exclusives – for free!
Become an OK! VIP and you will unlock access to all of our big exclusives…
Be the first to meet the latest showbiz babies, see the most sought after wedding pictures of the year, or take a guided tour around your favourite star's lavish multi-million pound home – all for free!
Sign up here
Nikita said: “There are quite a few things that I would love to say. First of all, if you can donate to the National Bank of Ukraine who is helping directly the army and the aid which is necessary at the front.”
“Also as well, to donate to the closest drop-off points – clothes, batteries, power banks – anything that is necessary, please Google it. You can help and we need help.”
He then sent a message to the UK government, appealing to them for more help and to accept refugees into the country.
Nikita, who urged the UK public to stay informed and help where they can, then said: “I would love to say a message to the government – please help us cover the sky.”
“They are bombing everything right now, including hospitals, maternity houses, schools, now also TV and internet stations to try to disconnect us from our families. We need help.”
For more on the heartbreaking situation in Ukraine and what you can do to support, sign up to OK!'s daily celebrity newsletter. Lorraine continues weekdays from 9am on ITV
Source: Read Full Article