Orange County

Orlando man holds on to hope as his fiancé ‘shelters in place’ during Russian invasion of Ukraine

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Russian conflict with Ukraine is hitting close to home for an Orlando man who said his fiancé is trying to survive in the embattled nation.

Eric James’ home is lit up with yellow-and-blue lights to support Ukraine as he holds on for updates from his love abroad.

WATCH: Clermont family in process of adopting 3 brothers from Ukraine fear for boys’ safety

“We try to communicate with each other every day, and I don’t know if it’s the last time we’re going to be able to communicate,” James said.

As he waits for her phone call at night, she’s sheltering at her home in Kyiv.

“There’s a sense of nervousness, there’s a sense of concern,” he said.

James said the two met in Orlando, when she was visiting, and have been going back and forth.

READ: Live updates: Australia to send lethal weapons to Ukraine

James was just in Kyiv, for Valentine’s Day two weeks ago, when the U.S. government told him he needed to evacuate.

Now he says everything has changed.

“They can’t go to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the banks are out of money,” James said.

READ: Ukraine invasion: What to know as Russian forces target Kyiv

And it’s hard to get in touch.

“There’s nothing we can do except pray,” he said.

See more in the video above.

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