Ukraine and was away from his family in the southern port city of Mariupol when the Russian army invaded its neighbouring country on February 24.
Mariupol has since become one of the key battlegrounds of the conflict, with the region sustaining heavy bombing from Putin’s navy, and residents reportedly being forced to drive past dead bodies in their attempts to flee.
Last week, with fighting running into its second month, Leo made the risky decision to attempt to escort his family out of the city.
Speaking to the BBC’s Sportshour podcast, the swimmer began by describing the devastation he had witnessed. “In Mariupol, Russian troops are bombing our houses, schools, theatres, churches.
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