MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Barry Nelson, known as War Uber to many, went to Ukraine in early April for his second relief mission.
He planned to stay three or four weeks, but didn’t have a set time for when he would come home.
That was until a few days ago.
“Russian television started announcing the names, dates of birth, and passport number of some British nationals that were on a hit list,” said Nelson.
While he wasn’t on the list, it was a signal that his time in Ukraine had come to an end.
A report from the UK says Russia has a hit list of Britons who are fighting, but that authenticity hasn’t been verified.
“One particular British National that was on the hit list is someone I had done a number of different jobs with throughout the last three weeks and even before that,” Nelson said. “So it quickly became time to go.”
Nelson has delivered generators, food, and other basic needs of survival all across Ukraine.
While documenting the horrific scenes with pictures of torn down buildings, even seeing a woman looking out on her balcony.
Constantly seeing Russian artillery shells on the ground that haven’t gone off, he came home with the bottom part of one from Irprin.
“As far as the eye could see. 20, 30 acres easily the field was littered with these shells,” said Nelson. “The village itself was just bombarded.”
In March he said the reason he went to Ukraine was no different than helping someone whose car was broken down on the side of the road.
While circumstances have changed, his mindset hasn’t.
“I guess, to me, the car is still broken down on the side of the road. I’d still like to be there helping,” said Nelson.
Nelson says it’s easy to help with a team, but worries about being kidnapped or even killed made for a simple decision.
“I’d love to be back over there. I just have to be smart about it,” Nelson said. “I’m unarmed, I don’t speak the language. I love the support everyone has given us, but that only does so much.”
You can continue to support Ukraine by donating to Wisconsin Ukrainians, a group that Nelson partnered with.
Comments