UNIVERSITY of Newcastle Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinsky's son Misha has travelled to Ukraine as the Australian Financial Review's special correspondent and is reporting on the unfolding conflict.
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Wollongong-based Misha Zelinsky - an expert in political warfare and foreign policy, a Fulbright Scholar and the Australian Workers' Union assistant national secretary - has been based in the capital, Kyiv.
He sought shelter last Thursday in the underground carpark of the Hyatt hotel, before leaving on Saturday with two Swedish medical students for the relative safe-haven of Lviv.
Professor Zelinsky told staff in an internal message on Monday his parents were Russian-Ukrainian refugees - not related to the current Ukrainian president - who fled to Australia after the end of World War II.
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"I am personally saddened with what is unfolding in their former homeland," Professor Zelinsky said.
"For the past two weeks, my son Misha has been in Kyiv, reporting for Australian and global media.
"I'm proud of him, but also worried for his safety."
He said scenes from Ukraine were "shocking and heartbreaking".
"Our response to the conflict is unique to each of us," he said.
"I encourage you to reach out and talk to your colleagues, friends and family about how this impacts you... and, most importantly, to seek support when you need it."
Misha Zelinsky told American cable news channel MSNBC escaping the besieged capital had not been easy.
"There's no cars, it was extremely difficult to get out of Kyiv, the trains are chaotic and packed," Mr Zelinsky said.
"It was pretty chaotic because roads were shut, bridges were being blown [and] the Ukrainian military are also blocking certain passages so we had to find a route through.
"We literally had to go through the middle of two different Russian active forces.
"There was a road available, we followed another local and got through thankfully.
"We drove past some live fire from Ukrainian mortar shelling and so that was literally 10 metres from the side of the road."
Mr Zelinsky said while Lviv itself was calm, the roads heading west were clogged with people trying to escape and seeking shelter in neighbouring countries including Poland and Romania.
He said there was no accommodation available when they arrived in Lviv, but they found a school taking in refugees.
"We all slept on the floor of the school gym."
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull praised Mr Zelinsky's efforts, Tweeting: "Great job Misha! William Guthrie Spence would be proud of you", invoking the memory of the 19th century trade unionist who helped establish the Australian Labor Party.
Mr Zelinsky told the Illawarra Mercury last Friday he would remain in Ukraine as long as it was safe to stay.
"I'm playing it be ear, and listening to the advice," he said.
"I was prepared to take the risk, because I believe in it.
"I don't have a wife and kids and I'm not risking anyone else.
"This is where history is being made.
"I believe there are stories here to be told and I believe I can contribute to that."
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