Ukraine: Sussex to mark anniversary of invasion as refugees reflect on kindness of strangers amid 'mental challenges' of fleeing war

Saturday (February 24) marks the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Maryna Tkachenko is one of the 174,000 Ukrainians who found refuge in the UK.

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, she found a new home in Lancing, West Sussex.

“This support amazes me and will amaze me for the rest of my life,” Maryna said.

"The most difficult [thing] was and still is that the war does not end and we need to build a life here. It took more than a year for this acceptance.

"However, the ongoing war and my son's education made me decide to stay. It was the most difficult thing to get used to, because I love Ukraine, lived there for 32 years, and never wanted to leave.

"Of course, the big hearts of the British people who opened their homes to us and have been supporting us for two years.

"We live with a family with two small children and their mother has the strength to support us as well. Some people are increasingly supportive at every step.”

Another refugee, Nadiia Chobit Roman, who has settled in Worthing, said: “I have made friends with locals and Ukrainians and regularly meet with them.

"My son, Andrii, has friends from pre-school, and we attend their birthday parties monthly or even twice a month. On weekends, I spend the entire day playing Lego/Duplo with my son, or we venture into town, playing on the beach or in a playground.

"He enjoys hot chocolate and pistachio cake from Caffè Nero, so we often stop there. His laughter brings me happiness.”

The government announced this week that Ukrainians who fled to the UK will be able to apply for 18-month extensions to their visas.

But adjusting to life in the UK hasn’t been plain sailing for those whose lives were turned upside down in an instant.

Vladyslava Bondar, who is now living in West Worthing, said: “The biggest shock for me was that it did not get easier mentally once I got to the UK.