A Ukrainian people smuggler told of his “desperation” to return to his invaded homeland moments before being jailed.

Andrii Kuzmych, 28, spoke with his family in Kyiv, fearing for them deeply, from HMP Elmley shortly after Russia launched a major military assault this morning.

A hospital where his brother works as a doctor in the north central capital was bombed just hours before the hearing at Canterbury Crown Court, his lawyer said.

The lorry driver, whose wife is pregnant, tried smuggling an Albanian into Kent for 500 Euros, to help pay for a family member’s medical treatment, the court heard.

But Border Force discovered the woman stowed inside Kuzmych’s cabin at Dover’s inbound freight lanes in September.

A judge jailed Kuzmych today for two years after he pleaded guilty to assisting unlawful immigration at an early opportunity.

Ben Irwin, mitigating, said: “His family are all in the Ukraine, he spoke to some of them this morning, and knows full well his country has been invaded.

“His family live in Ukraine, in Kyiv, his brother is a doctor in a hospital that was bombed this morning, so as he sits in Elmley he fears very deeply for his family and his country.

“He is anxious if not desperate to return to join his country and family.”

Kuzmych was stopped in a Belgian car park where he took up a people smuggler’s offer of 500-600 Euros, Mr Irwin added.

“It seems unlikely he knew just how serious that was,” he said.

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But prosecutors stressed the importance of ensuring UK borders are secure, with visitors properly vetted.

“(People smuggling) threatens not only the security of our borders but the security of others, of those citizens who are legally residents here and those who are visitors,” Sian Priory said.

“A Lithuanian heavy goods vehicle was intercepted at the inbound freight lanes at Dover.

“The vehicle had travelled from Calais and when stopped the driver had identified himself as Mr Kuzmych and declared himself to be the only person in the vehicle,” she continued.

“A female was detected in the top bunker of the cab where a mattress had been used to attempt to conceal her.”

Kuzmych, of previous good character, was jailed for two years.

The judge, Recorder Matthew McDonagh, said the sentence “cannot be affected by the developing situation in the Ukraine.”

But he added: “I acknowledge the threat to your family and friends in Western Ukraine… particularly your wife who, I’m told, is pregnant.”