Stephen Fry rushed to Ukrainian bomb shelter as city is hit with explosions

07 September 2023 , 09:39

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Stephen Fry rushed to Ukrainian bomb shelter as city is hit with explosions

Stephen Fry was forced to take shelter in a Kyiv air shelter as Russia unleashed yet another air raid on Ukraine's capital city.

The comedian and actor has explained that while visiting Kyiv for a mental health conference he found himself being woken up in the early hours before he was urged to run for cover. Stephen, 66, said that despite the terrifying ordeal, people were laughing along with one another and chatting merrily.

Opening up about the experience, Stephen said hotel staff woke him up at 4.45am and told him to flee for cover in the basement as the Russian air force unleashed another brutal attack as part of their attempted invasion of Ukraine.

Stephen Fry has revealed he was rushed to a Ukrainian air raid shelter (Vladimir Shtanko/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

He explained: "People were laughing and chattering quite happily. [There was] no sign of drones or incoming missiles, as far as I can tell," before explaining that the shelter was stocked with supplies including coffee machines as well as comfortable sofas. Despite Ukrainian citizens knowing what to take with them when requiring shelter, Stephen admitted that he fell short of one thing.

He said: "I didn't have the foresight to bring a laptop but the more seasoned citizens knew better." Following an hour in the protective bunker, Stephen said he heard an announcement which said: "Your attention, please! There are explosions in the city. Stay in the shelter," which made some people instantly return to the shelter.

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Shortly after the scary ordeal, Stephen says authorities gave the all-clear for people to return to their rooms and stated that they were out of danger. Stephen who is the president of the mental health charity Mind had been in town to address the issues with mental health surrounding the ongoing war. During his time at the conference, Russian soldiers targeted a packed market in the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, killing 17 and injuring dozens more.

Stephen said he was woken in the early hours but explained the shelter was well-equipped

Meanwhile, Putin's forces also destroyed a shopping centre in Donetsk which saw the Mercury shopping centre burst into flames, damaging 30 stalls. 20 shops, power lines and an apartment building were also damaged.

Condemning the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky branded the perpetrators as "terrorists". He said: "At this moment, the artillery of Russian terrorists has killed 16 people in the city of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region. A regular market. Shops. A pharmacy. People who did nothing wrong. Many wounded. This Russian evil must be defeated as soon as possible."

Just days prior to his evacuation, he witnessed doctors carry out surgery on a Ukrainian soldier and was amazed when medical staff decided to continue the life-changing operation, despite an air raid siren going off.

Daniel Bird