Ukrainian doctor takes over control of David Beckham’s Instagram account

The former footballer said he wanted to highlight the “amazing work” of doctors on the frontline in Ukraine
Elly Blake20 March 2022

David Beckham has handed control of his Instagram account to a Ukrainian doctor working in Kharkiv to raise awareness of the current conditions in Ukraine’s second-largest city.

The former footballer, who has 71.4 million Instagram followers, said he wanted to highlight the “amazing work” of medical staff operating amid the Russian invasion.

Iryna, who is head of the regional perinatal centre and a child anaesthesiologist, posted clips and images to the sportsman’s Stories throughout Sunday, showing the realities of the conflict for those working on the frontline.

Ukraine Doctor Iryna takes over David Beckham's Instagram
@davidbeckham

“Today I’m going to show you how we work in times of war and who we have become during these war days,” she said.

Iryna shared videos showing a basement where pregnant women and new mothers were evacuated to during the first days of the invasion, an intensive care unit where babies are being treated and oxygen generators donated by Unicef.

Iryna, identified only by her first name, said she now works “24/7” and that, “We are probably risking our lives, but we don’t think about it at all. We love our work.”

She also posted about Yana and her baby son Mykhailo, who was born on the second day of the war with breathing problems, and whose family home was destroyed during the fighting.

She said the child was “better now”.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid player Beckham, 46, has been an ambassador for the charity Unicef since 2005.

He urged his followers to donate money to those affected by the conflict.

Russia invades Ukraine - In pictures

Airstrikes hit Kharkiv, Ukraine
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Unicef is working in Ukraine to provide families with access to clean water and food, ensure child protections services continue and assess the refugee situation in neighbouring countries.

“Thanks to you donations, the oxygen generators they have received are helping newborns survive in appalling conditions,” he said.

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, has been the target of Russian attacks for some three weeks and seen some of the worst fighting.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

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