Ukrainian in Plymouth seals job on the buses

A MAN who fled Kharkiv after his home and business were destroyed by Russian artillery has become the first Ukrainian bus driver to work for Plymouth Citybus.

- ANDY PHILLIPS

Maksym Litvinov came to the UK a year ago with his family, after they were welcomed by city veterinarian Edmund Shillabeer, having fled the war-torn east of Ukraine.

Mr Litvinov has now become the first Ukrainian to drive a Citybus, and the company has shared photos of him with its bus, which was painted in the yellow and blue livery of the Ukraine flag in support of the nation when the conflict first started.

Having applied for the job in September last year, Mr Litvinov came through a series of exams and driving tests and last week did his first shifts as a solo driver.

The 42-year-old has previously appeared in The Herald as he has become part of aid missions delivering supplies to Ukraine, alongside businessman Andreas Evangelou. He said he faced a new challenge exams and tests passing various in 66 which would enable him to drive for the bus company.

"When I had the interviews and passed the tests and everything, they said that I would be the first Ukrainian bus driver," he said.