THE first Ukranian crew to enter Falmouth since Russia invaded their country have been welcomed to the port.

The 14 Ukrainian crew onboard the tanker Balvenie, arrived in Falmouth at 8:30am on Tuesday March 8, and were greeted by two volunteers from The Mission to Seafarers, Falmouth.

Graham Hall and David Smith took gift packages for all the crew including Easter Eggs and Phone Cards.

Penny Phillips, Falmouth Mission Chairman said, “This is the first vessel we’ve received in Falmouth since the start of the war in Ukraine and it was important that we met with the crew to check on their welfare and offer them any assistance we could.

"We were able to give each of them a bag of gifts and ensure they had all been in touch with loved ones, and left phone cards to enable them to keep in touch.

"The crew were in good spirits but understandably very concerned about those at home”.

The visit was arranged with the kind assistance of World Fuel Services, Falmouth, and GAC Shipping Services, Newport.

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