Ukrainian priest in Smithtown worries for his family and friends in war-torn country

Worshippers at the Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Parish in Smithtown are saying extra prayers Sunday for the church's pastor, who is Ukrainian and whose family and friends are still in the war zone.

Father Vladyslav Budash grew up in the northern Ukraine city of Chernihiv which is currently under siege by Russian troops and under bombardment.

He says his parents are still there and have no water, very little heat and electricity. He adds that communications have been spotty since Russian troops invaded.

He's been extremely worried about his parents who have had to shelter in their building's basement with neighbors. The last time he spoke to them was on Friday.

"I cannot have peace,” he told News 12, saying that at any time, a bomb could fall on his childhood home and take out his family.

Father Vlad says his heart breaks every time he sees pictures of his bombed-out neighborhood and streets that he grew up in. He hopes Western leaders will help Ukraine and its fledgling democracy.

He says he has raised nearly $23,000 for an orphanage there.