Ukrainian refugees face threats of human trafficking
Fox News contributor Brett Velicovich discusses efforts to protect refugees and the struggle to get aid to Ukrainians on the ground.
Brett Velicovich, a Fox News contributor and former U.S. Army special operations soldier, warned of a "major" threat of human trafficking now facing Ukrainian refugees and stressed the need for additional humanitarian aid, as most Ukrainians have not received help.
Velicovich, who has been on the ground in Ukraine for weeks providing aid, said on "The Faulkner Focus" Thursday that his team is working with the Ukrainian government to locate and extract more than 10,000 orphans that are unaccounted for as Russian forces continue to strike.
"Putin is a war criminal, plain and simple," Velicovich told host Sandra Smith. "They continue to be a part of this overall exasperation of the humanitarian crisis."
KYIV, UKRAINE - MARCH 18: Volunteers and security forces establish check points due to Russian attacks on Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 18, 2022. (Photo by Emin Sansar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
He said Russian forces are destroying civilian infrastructure in cities like Mariupol and are barely targeting the Ukrainian military.
"This is a city not unlike the ones we come from," he said. "These people are facing this devastation – they’re just like you and I. They need our help."
‘HEAVY FIGHTING’ EXPECTED IN SUBURBS OF UKRAINE'S CAPITAL, KYIV, IN THE ‘COMING DAYS,’ INTEL SAYS
Velicovich said his team in Ukraine has successfully been able to get small groups of refugees out of Mariupol, where nearly 5,000 civilians have been killed.
He said the United States, which has supported Ukraine in its efforts against Russia, doesn’t have enough people on the ground.
"It’s wild to hear the news about all this supposed humanitarian aid allotted by the U.S. government," he said. "But what we’re seeing on the reality from our perspective is that most of it has not made it to the front lines of the people who need it most."
Velicovich said none of the Ukrainian commanders he has spoken to have received aid or weapons from the United States. Civilian organizations like his, rather, are providing material support.
"I’ve been in Ukraine for a month," he said. "How do I have more drones in-country that we’ve handed off personally to Ukrainian special forces than the entire U.S. government?"
He said the conditions on the ground are terrible and that the people need help.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"It’s just absolutely ridiculous," he said. "People are dying here."
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.