The Ukrainian family of Halyna Hutchins suffered unexpected heartbreak last October when the young cinematographer died in a shooting on the set of her film "Rust." A new tragedy has struck them months after her shocking death with the family stuck in the middle of Kyiv because of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
According to widower Matt Hutchins, his late wife's family cannot escape the capital city because of the continuous attacks on areas that had been previously designated as safe passages. NPR reported that Hutchins posted a tweet about his concerns, writing, "Ukrainian refugees need humanitarian corridors. Halyna's family is trapped in Kyiv because of the danger of travel."
Hutchins added that Halyna's parents, Olga and Anatoly Androsovych, are preparing for the worst as they stay in Kyiv, Ukraine. Hutchins said his mother-in-law continues to work in a Kyiv hospital where she has been a nurse for over three decades. According to Hutchins, Olga continues to work because her country needs her in this situation and because they cannot leave Kyiv safely.
Halyna Hutchins' sister safely flees Ukraine, now in Romania
Hutchins relayed some good news, though, with Halyna's sister safely escaping the war zone in Ukraine. Hutchins said she is now in Romania alongside her three-year-old daughter, with the two set to continue their journey to Western Europe.
Hutchins then made an emotional plea on Twitter, calling for more support for Ukrainian refugees as well as military aid and diplomatic intervention to help protect the independence of Ukraine.
Hutchins believes there needs to be a no-fly zone in the war-torn country. According to a TMZ report, Hutchins wants China to step up in the ongoing conflict and do what NATO cannot. He said China must intervene in this war to guarantee both Russia and Ukraine will stay out of the sky and not use rocket bombardment of ground troops. Hutchins believes this will boost China's standing on the world stage and help Russian President Vladimir Putin save face in this floundering invasion.
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Hutchins praises Ukrainian defenders for their bravery
Hutchins also praised the resistance and bravery of the Ukrainian defenders, writing, "Keep telling the truth about Putin's invasion and atrocities. Support refugees and the territorial defense with aid and any intervention possible to protect the Ukrainian citizens and their independence."
His late wife Halyna was born in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union, in 1979. Halyna spent much of her childhood on a Soviet naval base before studying journalism at Kyiv National University. Halyna, who soon became a cinematographer, is a proud Ukrainian as she decided to keep her citizenship even after leaving Ukraine and marrying Matt Hutchins, an American citizen.
Hutchins wants justice for his wife after her tragic death on the set of the Western film "Rust." According to a report by Today, he is suing Hollywood star Alec Baldwin and other producers of the movie for their role in her death. Baldwin held the gun that discharged during rehearsal, shooting and killing Halyna and injuring director Joel Souza.
