“You become desensitised”: Lincolnshire aid worker’s warning after seven Ukraine front line trips
Ian Russell says the war is getting worse on the ground – even as global attention begins to fade
A Lincolnshire aid worker who has travelled to Ukraine’s front line seven times says the reality of the war is far more severe than many people realise – and fears the world is starting to look away.
Ian “Skully” Russell, from Coningsby, has been delivering vehicles and vital supplies to some of the hardest-hit areas of the country since 2023.
But after repeated visits, he says one thing has become increasingly clear: the situation is deteriorating.
“It changes a lot,” he said. “I could talk for hours about individual little changes.”
On his most recent trips, Ian has travelled as far east as possible – even spending time in trenches alongside Ukrainian forces to better understand what is needed on the ground.
“I have spent a night in the trenches… we’ve been walked around the front line,” he explained.
“It’s a lot better to get an idea of this in person rather than just what you see on the news,” he said.
“And obviously you come a bit desensitised when you see it on the news.”
Ian’s work has ranged from delivering aid and vehicles to supporting orphanages and animal shelters – even helping with body recovery during one visit.
Despite the scale of need, he says raising money for future trips is becoming more difficult, as public attention shifts elsewhere.
“I don’t want to say it’s just because of other wars directly… probably indirectly, because people are being desensitised to it,” he said.
“But also the cost of living has got crazy – I mean, I even have to think personally whether I can carry on most times.”
He is now planning his eighth trip in May – determined to continue supporting those on the front line, while urging others not to forget the ongoing conflict.
“We’re constantly taking aid over,” he said. “There’s still so much that’s needed.”