Family waits in fear to bring adopted son home while Ukraine adoptions in limbo

American adoptions of children in Ukraine are in limbo due to the war, stopping many American parents from being united with their Ukrainian children.

16-year-old Sasha is supposed to be adopted and with his family in America right now. Instead, he is stuck watching a war happen right outside of his window.

"From the moment that he stepped through the doors at the airport, I was like, that is my son. And it really didn’t take any more than that. We didn’t need language; we didn’t need to bond. He was my son. And that was the end of it," says his soon-to-be adoptive mother, Jennifer Ruff.

That is how Jennifer describes her relationship with Sasha, a 16-year-old orphan in Ukraine, who already calls her mom.

“He fit in with our family immediately. So he is very silly and goofy, he is athletic. He loves sports, especially soccer and volleyball, those are his favorites," says Jennifer.

The family has hosted Sasha in their home twice, for 10 weeks last summer, and for four weeks this past Christmas.

"He is just a really sweet kid, very protective of our younger children. And he is just really grateful to be in our family as we are grateful that he is in our family," says Jennifer.

While his parents and two younger siblings are waiting for him in America, Sasha is dealing with the unknown.

“He called within the first few hours of the war, he video chatted us- and he was pointing his phone out the window, and saying mama, five, there’s five. And he was trying to tell us that there had been five shellings- like explosions out his window," says Jennifer.

Lowcountry family waits in fear to bring adopted son home while Ukraine adoptions in limbo. (WCIV)

But Sasha's number one concern has been his family.

“But then one of the first things he says is Mom, don’t tell the little kids because I don’t want them to cry and be scared. And so what a resilient and selfless kid. To be 16-years-old, have an understanding of what is going on, and what is happening to your country into your town, and to be worried about your siblings at that moment," says Jennifer.

Communication with Sasha has been sporadic for the Ruffs that they have gone days without hearing anything.

“You worry about safety. Do they have food? Do they have water? Do they have electricity? Are they cold? What is his emotional state?” says Jennifer.

All the family wants is for Sasha to come home, but because courts are closed in Ukraine, there is no telling when Sasha will be able to come to America.

Sasha is safe, he has access to a bomb shelter and a basement, his family says.

The Ruff's are calling for the U.S. to have a plan in place for when courts do open in Ukraine, so Sasha can come home as soon as possible.

To help Sasha- and other orphans in Ukraine- visit HostOrphansWorldwide.org.

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