As Ukrainian families began to flee for safety amid the breakout of war with Russia Thursday morning, loved ones embraced and said goodbye to those who stayed to defend their homeland.
Emotional posts filled social media showing families crying and expressing love before leaving.
One man is seen hugging his wife and daughter while sobbing before they boarded a bus.
⚠️#BREAKING | A father who sent his family to a safe zone bid farewell to his little girl and stayed behind to fight …
#Ukraine #Ukraina #Russia #Putin #WWIII #worldwar3 #UkraineRussie #RussiaUkraineConflict #RussiaInvadedUkrainepic.twitter.com/8bkWXAPusk
— Ukraine News Today?? (@Ukrainenews01) February 24, 2022
A TikTok video showed couples not wanting to let go before saying goodbye.
@editsnmorehub My prayers go to Ukraine. #ukraine #russia #sad #emotional #fyp #foryoupage #viral #soldiers #foryou #god #prayer #love Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic
A Ukrainian soldier told his father and mother he loved them in a video posted on Twitter.
This video made me cry, Ukrainian soldier’s last message to his parents! “Mom , Dad I love you and take care”. #Russia #Ukraine #Russian #Ukrainian #UkraineRussiaCrisis #UkraineRussia #RussiaUkraineCrisis #Putin #worldwar3 #Kyiv #RussiaUkraineConflict #NATO #WorldWarIII pic.twitter.com/Bx2B6ekq81
— Gul Zaman (@iamzamangul) February 24, 2022
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Some people left with only their children and the personal belongings they could carry.
Many Ukrainians are fleeing to the west of the country, and others are reportedly fleeing to Hungary, Poland, and Romania.
Ukraine-Hungary border at Tiszabecs – people crossing to Hungary #UkraineRussia #Hungary pic.twitter.com/pa2skHceQQ
— Anita Komuves (@AnitaKomuves) February 24, 2022
A Romanian animal rescue charity, Casa lui Patrocle, offered their services to anyone fleeing with pets.
“We will do all our human efforts to find housing, shelter, and veterinary assistance solutions for animals that need support, we repeat — regardless of the species (dogs, cats, cabalines, bulls, cattle, birds),” the Romanian Casa lui Patrocle animal rescue said on Facebook.
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Ukrainian roads leaving Kyiv were in gridlock as people tried to escape via car. Others boarded buses and or used the subway to escape.
