Thread by @SkyNews

While the UN says over 1.7 million people have fled Ukraine so far, some of the country's elderly citizens are refusing to leave in order to provide food and aid to help others survive

Despite constant shelling and the advance of Russian troops, volunteers of the Ukrainian charity, Age Concern Ukraine, continues to operate through its nine branches across the country

The charity's director, Galina Poliakova, 65, is among those who are staying behind in Kyiv.

"I will stay because there is a lot of work to do. The situation is bad. It’s really difficult to get to people because of the shelling", she says

The charity says it has over 1,500 volunteers all aged over 60 who deliver food, medical supplies and run a daily phone service for elderly people in Ukraine

As of last year, over 10 million people in the country were aged 60 years and older, roughly a quarter of the country's population, according to Statista

Galina Poliakova says that although some of the elderly have fled with family or take shelter in basements, many others are isolated, unable to leave because of their physical condition or have chosen to stay.

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