A Northern Irish man in Kyiv has given an insight into what living in a city under siege from the Russians is like.

Geoff Dowey recorded a message on March 16 explaining that COVID-19 has meant locals are used to shortages in shops and non-essential businesses closing.

He also states that the city's defences have been getting "stronger and stronger" and "anyone thinking of invading Kyiv is going to have a hell of a job on their hands."

Dowey also states that his residence has electricity and hot running water.

He told Newsflare: "On good authority, we are led to believe that Russia has sent 5th columnists to infiltrate Kyiv.

"They will pose as locals returning to collect items from home or as care workers here to help. They will be in Kyiv to cause disruption, confusion and distraction.

"All citizens were requested to stay indoors to stay safe from these insurgents and not be mistaken for them.

"Many villages around Kyiv have been decimated and many people displaced by Putin are shouting that he is overthrowing Nazis by using very Nazi tactics against the people, his people.

"One of the greatest shame of modern times will leave Putin remembered for all time as a monster, fascist, dictator, not as a saviour."

Kyiv Wednesday March 16th. Tanya & Geoffrey Dowey are staying in their apartment until tomorrow because of a curfew.

The curfew in Kyiv is because of expected air raid and we have been told of a different more insidious reason. On good authority we are led to believe that Russia has sent 5th columnists to infiltrate Kyiv.

They will pose as locals returning to collect items from home or as care workers here to help. They will be in Kyiv to cause disruption, confusion and distraction.

All citizens were requested to stay indoors to stay safe from these insurgents and not be mistaken for them. Unlike other wars here the enemy looks the same, sounds the same, and speaks the same language making this scenario a lot more difficult.

To date the only positive side to covid is that the people here got used to businesses being closed and lock downs.

Central Kyiv is like a ghost town and unlike other Ukrainian cities Mariupol, Kharkiv, it is largely unscathed.

Many villages around Kyiv have been decimated and many people displaced by Putin shouting that he is overthrowing Nazi's by using very Nazi tactics against the people, his people, by his words.

One of the greatest shame of modern times will leave Putin remembered for all time as a monster, fascist, dictator not as a saviour.