Hedge End man stuck in Ukraine with pregnant wife

Lorraine and Dave Cox from Hedge End say they are living "day to day" as they anxiously await news from their son, Tom. 

The 34-year-old bricklayer from Hedge End went to Ukraine in February ahead of his marriage to Daria Cox née Poleva, 31, who is from the country. 

The pair were due to get married at the end of February but had to cancel the wedding following Russia's invasion.

Now, Lorraine and Dave are constantly waiting to hear from Tom or Daria.

Lorraine and Dave Cox with their son Tom's drawings, which he created in Ukraine for them

Lorraine said: "They are in a desperate dilemma and we don’t know how it’s going to pan out. 

"We keep thinking they should’ve come back earlier, but you can’t go back into the past.

"We did say to Tom ‘don’t go’ but he said ‘I have to, I love her and have to be with her.’ 

"They were supposed to get married in Ukraine and we were going to go over for the wedding, which was set for the day after the war started.

"They are in Melitopol and Tom said the soldiers just walked in.  

"It’s so difficult. Every day we want to hear from them, then their internet is shut down and we don’t know what happened.

"We are desperate and just want them to be safe and get anywhere."

According to Lorraine and Dave, Tom and Daria's only way out is catching a train from the nearest station, but the length of the journey is undetermined.

Dave said: "Tom and Daria are in a little town and the nearest train station, in Zaporizhzhia, is about one and a half hours away.

Tom and Daria Cox

"This is their only way out, it’s a hell of a journey. They need to get someone to drive them to the station, but no one wants to do it. 

"We can only hope they can get out at some point. We are living day to day.

"They can make the decision to go but might be killed or blown up.

"Daria is five months pregnant as well and it’s a worry because Tom doesn’t want to take the chance."

Lorraine said: "I get through it, but I have my bad days.

"Tom is part of our everyday life. We moan at him for leaving his washing and making a mess, but I would have any of that to get him and Daria back."