A MERCY flight to bring 52 Ukrainian orphans to the UK was delayed yesterday due to a ”bureaucratic nightmare”.

       The children, aged between two and 19, were expected to fly from Warsaw, Poland, on a specially chartered flight as part of the so-called Project Light.

       2

       A mercy flight to bring 52 Ukrainian orphans to the UK was delayed due to a 'bureaucratic nightmare' Credit: SWNS 2

       The children, aged between two and 19, were expected to fly from Poland on a specially chartered flight as part of the so-called Project Light Credit: SWNS

       TV star Rob Rinder, who was recently in the Polish capital assisting the Ukrainian relatives of his Strictly dance partner Oksana Platero, was due to return yesterday on board the Virgin flight and help coordinate bringing the orphans to the UK.

       But the final identity and safeguarding checks had not been completed by the Ukrainian and Polish authorities.

       Rinder blasted the hold-up, saying: “We’re in the midst of a bureaucratic nightmare.”

       He added: “It says something that Pen Farthing could airlift 200 pets (I love my dog) from Kabul but we are stuck on the ground (probably unable to fly today) to rescue 52 orphaned kids because of paperwork.

       Read More on Ukraine

       PROPAGANDA Live Ukraine updates as Putin ORDERS Russians NOT to panic buy amid sanctions

       HEAVY LOSSES Russia says 10K killed in Ukraine as pro-Kremlin paper leaks true cost of war

       "One signature! Hopefully tomorrow.”

       The children are from five different orphanages in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, where they live in family groups with their legal guardians.

       They were evacuated by Scottish charity Dnipro Kids and Save A Child Global Paediatric Network.

       Last night, they and their seven legal guardians, had found temporary accommodation in Warsaw.

       Most read in News

       FINAL MOMENTS Pilots 'may have PASSED OUT in 350mph death dive' before battling to save jet

       SHOCK FIND Missing man found dead in FREEZER at abandoned pub 10 years after disappearing

       GRAVE ROW UK’s biggest headstone for ‘traveller king’ Big Willy may be torn down amid fury

       MAD VLAD I taught Putin body language tricks, now he's threatening to destroy us all

       A Home Office spokesperson said: “It is deeply troubling that these children have been caught up in Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.

       “It is right that we only move these children once we have the full written agreement of their home and host governments.

       “The Home Secretary and her counterparts in the Ukrainian, Polish and Scottish Government are united in their determination to ensure these children get the support and care they need.”

       Ian Blackford, SNP Westminster leader, who fought for the UK government to grant access for the group, told reporters: “While it’s disappointing that we’re still here waiting to depart for Warsaw, we’ve been up against a race against time to get the paperwork that needs to be in place and there’s been a delay on that.

       “We will do everything we can, working with others to make sure we can get the children to safety as soon as practically possible.”

       Read More on The Sun

       HORROR SALVO Russia fires vacuum bombs on besieged Mariupol as civilians refuse to give up

       WAG'S PAIN I had mansion, clothes & dream wedding but I was suffering, says ex-Man Utd WAG

       A spokesperson for Project Light said: “The group are currently being taken care of at a hotel in Poland and are safe and well.

       “All the parties involved in this mission are working hard to bring them to the UK in the coming days.”

       Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund

       PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.

       Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun's Ukraine Fund.

       Give as little as ￡3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.

       Donate here to help The Sun's fund

       Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles

       ￡3 — text SUN￡3

       ￡5 — text SUN￡5

       ￡10 — text SUN￡10

       Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. ￡5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile

       The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis.

       In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world.

       For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund