Yuma locals react to Russia-Ukraine war as it approaches it’s sixth week

With over 1,100 civilian deaths in total, locals are devastated to see what's happening, some are even inspired to take action - 13 On Your Side's Luis Lopez reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, Yumans are reacting, as the conflict has now gone on for six weeks.

Locals throughout Yuma are saddened to see what the Ukrainian people are going through.

One resident, Robert Morris, feels so strongly about the situation, he wants to help by being on the front lines.

“There have been days I’ve cried watching the death counts, and just the atrocities Putin is committing,” Morris said.

Morris says he's felt passionate about the situation since it first unfolded, and adds as he continues to see Ukraine suffer, he wants to try and help.

As a result, he applied to join the International Legion Of Defense Of Ukraine, an organization which enlists non-Ukrainians to help with war efforts.

He hasn’t heard back yet, but regardless, he wants to assist the country in any way he can.

“I just felt a deep ingrained need to do try and do something to comfort these people, even if it means jeopardizing my own safety and security, just to make sure that these people might have homes to go back to,” Morris said.

Morris isn’t the only one who’s been saddened by the war.

One visitor, Mary Woods, telling us, she feels for everyone involved.

“It’s devastating, those countries have families on both sides and it’s just, it’s heartbreaking for everybody,” Woods said.

Others, like visitor Eldon Courdney, still confused why Russia even invaded in the first place.

“Well, I don’t understand it, I can’t figure out why anybody would try to disrupt the whole darn country, and it don’t make any sense whatsoever,” Courdney said.

As the devastation continues, the United Nations saying over 1,100 civilians have been killed, along with 1,800 injured.