Ukrainian journalist ‘quite optimistic’ as Russian forces advance

A Ukrainian journalist who left Kyiv to travel west to Lviv, which is 70 kilometres from Poland, says she “can’t say if we can feel safe anywhere”.

Iryna Matviyishyn travelled for three days to reach Lviv, a journey which usually takes five hours, but says the effects of the Russian invasion are still being felt so close to Polish border.

“Today … we had to run to the basement even though we are very close to the Polish border,” she told Ross and Russel.

Ms Matviyishyn says “literally everyone” in the country has mobilised to fight Russian forces, and the invasion won’t be the easy walk Vladimir Putin expected.

“I’m quite optimistic … I believe in our army and I see the huge resistance from the Ukrainian side,” she said.

“All the people are doing everything they can, everyone in their onw ways to resist this aggression and to fight Russia.

“I don’t think it will be an easy walk.

“They haven’t expected this kind of resistance.”

Press PLAY below to hear Iryna Matviyishyn’s view from Ukraine

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