Ukraine's surprise local hero

Russia began its war in Ukraine on 24th February 2022. The war made millions of people leave their homes. But many also stayed and needed help.

Fuminori Tsukiko’s a 75-year-old Japanese tourist who was in Poland when the war began. He went to Ukraine to help the people who stayed.

Tsukiko went to Kyiv and then to Kharkiv, which was destroyed by the war.

Fuminori Tsukiko: "Kyiv and rebuild and Kharkiv – very good, very good. I like, I love Ukraine."

While Kharkiv was under attack, the people lived underground for safety. Tsukiko lived and slept underground with them.

He knew their lives, says Zoya Reshetnyak.

Zoya Reshetnyak: "He was sleeping next to us, talking to children, and they would understand him. They played together and children would hang on to him. He delved into our lives – lived through everything with us."

The people of Kharkiv stayed safe underground for 9 months. During this time, Tsukiko made breakfast for them daily. He collected money from Japan to buy people basic foods and medicines.

Now the residents of Kharkiv are living above ground again. They'll always remember Tsukiko's kindness to them. Tsukiko still uses social media to collect money for the people of Kharkiv. He has a great love for the people of Ukraine, and he's well-loved in the city.

Fuminori Tsukiko: "I support by Japan. Many, many people support in Ukraine people – very good, very good. I don't escape, I don't escape. I lived in Kharkiv – not come back to Japan." Weniger anzeigen