A widow of one of the victims of the Smolensk air crash last Saturday has had her bank account blocked and is relying on the kindness of others to feed her seven children.

Rzeczpospolita reports that Joanna Krupska, widow of Janusz Krupski - who was the head of the Office for War Veterans - has had access to the family bank account blocked.

The widow of Senator Krzysztof Putra - who left eight children behind - is also in the same situation.

The families of the victims have applied for a special pension to take care of dependents but until any money comes through they are at the mercy of friends and relatives. (pg)