Craig Williams Ukraine aid mission: Jockey laments horror

Herald Sun

11 hours ago

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Champion jockey Craig Williams has lamented the horrors and reality of war against civilians in Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
Williams last Thursday night returned from a third humanitarian aid delivery mission to the stricken nation, inspired and motivated to do more for the Ukrainian cause as the nation suffers under a barrage of drone and missile attacks from Russian aggressors.
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'The capital of Ukraine is the contact line now,' Williams said.
'They (Russian army) now target the city, civilians and civilian infrastructure … we weren't allowed to enter the capital for a certain time because they were under attack.
'They hit a residential building and killed 31 people, including five children, we were taken there the next day.
Larysa and Craig Williams at the entrance of a bunker.
'What really hit home to me … (a mother and two children killed) moved from the east to the capital to try and be safe and that's where they were killed.
'To see the devastation and destructions from these drones, these missiles now hitting civilians … unfortunately it's the reality of what life is for Ukrainians living in Ukraine.
'They (Russians) do not care what they hit, everything that is alive in Ukraine they believe should not be alive, because it's Ukrainian, and that's the unfortunate reality.'
A residential building in Ukraine destroyed by missile and drone attack. Picture: Supplied
Williams and his Ukrainian-born wife Larysa have hand-delivered more than $2m crowdfunded money and supplies, including medical equipment, the past three years to help the resilient country's freedom-fighting effort.
'It's really hard to keep asking people for money to keep doing it because everyone is dealing with something,' Williams said.
'We're so grateful … of people's generosity, predominantly thoroughbred racing industry people but people on the street, people are amazingly generous.
'Every dollar goes to (Ukrainian support), we'll deliver it and then when we leave it's like we have to, we have to do more.
'They're (Ukrainians) exhausted … go to the boots of their cars, they've got all (equipment) like they've been out camping because they might have to sleep somewhere.
'They're very resilient, resourceful people.'
Craig Williams inspecting the Shahed drones used by the Russian forces.
Williams has already received $5000 in donations for next year.
'People are amazing,' Williams said.
'Every couple of weeks there's a person that chips in $12, that's their pension money, it's not like they've got plenty of money, now that's amazing.'
Williams remains committed to the cause, although he wished the conflict ended tomorrow.
'My job is if we're raising the money, we have to deliver. It's not a discussion,' Williams said.
'Plus we've got skin in the game because we've got family there.'
Craig Williams at the entrance of a bunker.
Williams lauded the efforts of Brisbane-based Victorian jockey Andrew Mallyon, who completed a second humanitarian trip to Ukraine last month.
Mallyon worked with a foreign legion medical group close to the contact line.
'Andrew Mallyon actually went and saved lives,' Williams said.
'He doesn't have skin in the game but he just felt like it's the right thing to do.
'They call him a hero over there.'
Craig Williams alongside an unexploded missile.
The Ukrainian experiences only sharpen Williams's life perspective – personally and professionally.
'I'm inspired by the people and motivated by the people … this is their daily life,' Williams said.
'I would get frustrated before if council sent a letter saying in three days you're going to lose water for three hours, or … you're not going to have the internet for six hours.
'I used to think 'oh God that's the worst thing ever' (or professionally think) I didn't get that ride or I didn't do this, without realising about perspective.
'Those people are dealing with stuff far worse than 'I didn't get a winner today or only got to two, not three'.
'This is life and death and they just get on.'
The sight of more children and young people this year compared to past trips, and many proficient in English, inspired Williams.
'They're the future,' Williams said.
'They're the hope.'
Originally published as War on civilian doorsteps: Champion jockey Craig Williams laments civilian horror in Ukrainian capital Kyiv after latest humanitarian aid mission