A group of 48 Ukrainian orphans are set to travel to the UK after Scottish charity Dnipro Pro helped with their evacuation.
The children have now been given the green light to travel to Britain after the UK Government initially stalled on issuing visas for the children - claiming they needed more information.
The orphans were taken out of Ukraine and into Poland by the charity, which was set up by Hibernian Football Club, in the wake of the Russian invasion.
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The UK Government had come under scrutiny after being accused of ‘obstructing’ their arrival by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, who had raised the issue in the House Of Commons.
Home Secretary, Priti Patel says the kids now have clearance to travel to the UK.
On Thursday, (March 17), Ms Patel said: “It is deeply troubling that children from the charity Dnipro Kids have been caught up in Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine.
“I have been working directly with the Ukrainian government and asked for their permission to bring these children to the UK.
“I am extremely grateful to the authorities in Ukraine, who have now confirmed to me that the children can come here.'
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She added: “We are working urgently with Poland to ensure the children's swift arrival to the UK.”
The Dnipro Kids charity was founded in 2005 after a Hibernian FC UEFA Cup trip to the Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk.
The charity now raises donations to send through to local orphanages to pay for items such as winter coats and boots, as well as for repairs for the buildings in which they live.
Upon the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the charity moved the children, aged from six to 17, from the orphanage to a hotel in Nzin, northern Poland with nine adults accompanying them.
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An influx of Ukrainians are expected into Britain next week following 25,000 applications to the Ukraine family programme. Tens of thousands more have signed up to the Government’s separate Home For Ukraine sponsor scheme.
The UK had initially only accepted visa applications from Ukrainians with UK relatives, but after coming under fire have launched a scheme that involves promises to pay Brits AUD$620 (£350) a month to host refugees.
Mr Blackford spoke of the new movements: “I'm absolutely delighted we've managed to achieve this breakthrough and that, all things being well, Scotland will welcome 48 Ukrainian children and their guardians to safety on Monday.”
He continued: “While this process has been more difficult than it needed to be, all that matters now is that these children will be in a place of safety and I am pleased beyond words.”
Topics: Ukraine
Jayden Collins