BBC presenter Clive Myrie issues message as he escapes war-torn Kyiv

Clive Myrie has escaped Kyiv, the Bolton-born BBC presenter has said. The 57-year-old journalist bravely stayed in the Ukrainian capital until the very last moment.

He has now been forced to leave. Posting on social media, Mr Myrie shared some thoughts on the devastating Russian invasion, the Mirror reports.

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"It was a long, day of driving and queuing to get out of Kyiv," the veteran foreign correspondent said. "Imagine having to leave all you know in a hurry because you’re being shelled! What do you pack? Do pets come too? It’s freezing cold and you pray those in neighbouring countries will welcome you, not despise you!

"My thoughts are with the 1million who’ve fled #Ukraine because they might be killed. The millions who fled Syria and many other millions escaping repression, poverty, war. They all pray they’ll be welcomed in other countries as human beings. That’s all they ask 2/2 refugees."

Twitter users shared their heartbreak over his reflection on the situation, with one writing: "Heart is breaking for everyone. I wish I could do something but stuck in Middle England feeling so ashamed of our government. Hugging our dog and girls extra tight every night feeling extraordinarily grateful. But for the grace...#UkraineRussianWar #IStandWithUkraine."

While another commented: "I literally cry everyday. I think about everyone first thing through to night. I know this may sound strange, but I almost feel guilty for having a warm home, hot food, drinking wine & lay in bed thinking I wish they were all doing the same. We sleep, they fight."

A third wrote: "And what do you do if, like me, you have a disabled teenager in a wheelchair, who needs a constant supply of meds?