Yahoo News Son pays tribute to BBC engineer dad who is on the ground in Kyiv
The son of a BBC engineer in Kyiv has paid tribute to his dad and all those working in war zones.
Charlie Jonas’s father Ian is one of the team in the Ukraine with journalist Clive Myrie, who has been covering Russia’s invasion.
Sharing a picture of his dad with Myrie and the rest of the crew, Charlie said on Twitter: “Haven’t told all that many people, but my dad’s currently with the BBC team that’s holed up in Ukraine.
Read more: Nicola Sturgeon calls Clive Myrie an 'unsung hero' as he stays in Kyiv to report on crisis
"That’s him in the foreground reaching for the light.
Haven’t told all that many people, but my dad’s currently with the BBC team that’s holed up in Ukraine. That’s him in the foreground reaching for the light. He’s been on the ground in lots of conflicts (gulf wars, invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq war) but it’s been… 🧵 https://t.co/TVDC7PPyG1
— Charlie Jonas (@CHTJonas) March 2, 2022
"He’s been on the ground in lots of conflicts (Gulf Wars, invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq War) but it’s been a while since he was away in a danger zone.
"I think the last time was possibly the Japanese tsunami/Fukushima disaster."
a while since he was away in a danger zone. I think the last time was possibly the Japanese tsunami/Fukushima disaster. Felt a lot of emotions watching the 10 o’clock news tonight, but I’m sure what my family is feeling is nothing compared to the suffering of the Ukrainian people
— Charlie Jonas (@CHTJonas) March 2, 2022
Charlie said he "felt a lot of emotions" watching the news, but added that he was "sure what my family is feeling is nothing compared to the suffering of the Ukrainian people".
"It’s actually strangely calming to read over all the comments above thanking Clive and the team for their work," he said.
"Obviously doesn’t reduce the risks on the ground, but they have good hostile environment training and are lucky enough to have shelter in the basement of their hotel.
It’s actually strangely calming to read over all the comments above thanking Clive and the team for their work. Obviously doesn’t reduce the risks on the ground, but they have good hostile environment training and are lucky enough to have shelter in the basement of their hotel
— Charlie Jonas (@CHTJonas) March 2, 2022
"My thoughts are with everyone who has to work in a war zone, whether media or humanitarian, in Ukraine or elsewhere. Also those who have to live in war zones and those who have to leave because of war zones."
Several people told Charlie what an “amazing job” his dad was doing amid the crisis.
"He’s playing a huge role, a selfless one at that!" one person tweeted.
My thoughts are with everyone who has to work in a war zone, whether media or humanitarian, in Ukraine or elsewhere. Also those who have to live in war zones and those who have to leave because of war zones
— Charlie Jonas (@CHTJonas) March 2, 2022
BBC journalist Jane Hill said: "Charlie your tweet brought tears to my eyes. Your Dad is doing brilliant work, you’re right to remind everyone that what we do is teamwork."
Read more: Viewers moved as Clive Myrie appears to 'shed tear' while reporting on Ukraine crisis
Former BBC journalist Rory Cellan-Jones shared the thread, writing: "Great thread by the son of Ian Jonas, one of the fabulous engineers keeping the BBC on air from Kyiv.
"People like Ian rarely get the recognition they deserve and are yet another reason why I’m #proudofthebbc."
Watch: BBC's Clive Myrie explains why he's staying in Ukraine
