Kyiv residents take shelter in basements, how Ukrainian Americans say you can help

BRIGHTON, N.Y. (WHEC) — News10NBC Chief Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean spoke with Elena Dilai, a Monroe Community College professor whose friend is hiding in a basement in Kyiv.

She said it’s because her apartment building in the capital was getting shelled by the Russian army.

Elena Dilai showed Brean a photo of the basement where her friend is living. There’s one light, a damp carpet and her backpack with water, her passport and money.

"At this time and age, we have people living in the basements because a different country is shelling our homeland?" Dilai said. "Is shelling our Capitol? Really? What do I think? I can’t sleep. I haven’t slept since they invaded Ukraine."

Brean asked Dilai what she wants people to do who are watching all this unfold at home.

She said to call the White House (202-456-1111), call your member of Congress and call your senator and ask them to increase the sanctions against Russia. Click here to find out who represents you and their contact information.