BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty has been slammed for asking a Kyiv soldier fighting against Russian forces a “stupid” question.
Former tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky was quizzed by the Beeb’s presenter over his decision to leave his family behind in Hungary to defend his homeland – Ukraine.
He joined the show this morning via video link and described the fight to prevent Russian troops from seizing his country’s capital.
The Ukrainian soldier appeared on screen looking exhausted, while he told Naga that he didn’t even know what day of the week it is.
Naga said: “I mean, this is heartbreaking. I wonder what conversations you are able to have with your wife and what she is able to tell your children?”
Sergiy responded: “Well, she was upset, we’re talking now. I just hope that one day she will forgive me for what I’ve done.
“I’m not sure I would forgive myself but it was a no-win scenario.”
Fans have now slammed Naga for what she asked next – saying that she “kicked Sergiy while he was down”.
She said: “That conversation must have been very difficult. Do you think you’ve made a choice between your family and your country?”
He responded: “Yes, that’s how it looks like, unfortunately.”
One person posted on Twitter: “What an awful interview. Naga Munchetty picking at an emotional scab. Poor Sergiy Stahivsky. I really feel for him.”
Another added: “F***ing hell Naga, leave the poor bloke alone and stop asking stupid questions.”
A third said: “Naga: ‘Do you think you’ve made a choice between your family and your country?’, what a stupid question.”
While one fumed: “Naga wtf. Why are you pursuing that line of questions? Twist the knife why don’t you.”
Sergiy said that he hopes to speak with his family again later today.
Naga added: “I hope that conversation brings you light. I wish you peace.”
It comes as Ukraine barred all men aged 18 to 60 from fleeing the war zone — to make them available to fight.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of women and children have been flocking to nearby Poland and Romania to escape the war.
Families from all over the strife-torn nation have flooded west to escape the fighting.
In the last week, thousands of emotional dads have been seen putting their tearful children on trains to safety and kissing the goodbye – before dashing back to the frontline to fight Putin’s invaders
The Celeb Report has approached the BBC for comment.
