The owner of a Ukrainian restaurant in New York, where sales have risen up to 75%, says some staff are considering fighting against Russia in the Ukraine war

The owner of a Ukrainian restaurant in New York said some of his employees were thinking about leaving the US to fight for their country.

Up to 40 of the restaurant staff are of Eastern European descent, according to the owner.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stopped male citizens aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country on the day that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade the country.

Birchard said that the young staff at Veselka were willing to travel to the country and fight against Russia.

Birchard said that she has a busboy who is 17 years old who is planning on going. He said that he was trying to be supportive of his staff's needs.

Birchard, who has Ukrainian heritage, said he has considered going to join the war.

I have a business to run and I have a family here. He said he was going to do his best from afar and get support, money, and aid.

Restaurant sales shot up 75%

Birchard said he has tried to hire more workers as he has been working extra hours, sometimes double shifts, because of the overwhelming support from customers and long lines outside.

Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, sales have soared by between 50% and 75%, and tens of thousands more customers have visited.

Birchard said that more people are eating in the restaurant, ordering food for their offices and gatherings at home.