‘I’ll return to Ukraine when we win the war’

PEOPLE are no longer fleeing to bomb shelters in Ukraine because air raid sirens have just become a part of life, a Dublinbased war refugee has said.

Oleksandra Hromova (23), was rescued and flown here by Salvation Army officers last March, shortly after the Russian invasion.

She thought this country would provide a safe haven for a few weeks but recently joined fellow Ukrainians at an event in Dublin to mark the grim, first anniversary of the conflict.

“At this stage, they are so used to the situation, many people are not going to the bomb shelters anymore,” said Alex.

“There is no fear but they are still angry and upset. War is part of their lives now,” she added.

Salvation Army Ireland officers brought her and her mum Yuliia to safety following a 30-hour journey from their home city of Dnipro to the Polish border.

Their intervention came three years after Alex completed a volunteer programme with the Christian church and charity, during which she worked at its homeless family hubs in Dublin.

Since last March, mother and daughter have lived in church accommodation, while Alex also works full-time at its café on King’s Inns Street. Her grandmother, two uncles and several friends remain in Dnipro.

“Physically, they are all fine, they have not been hurt, thank God, but in mid-January, there was a massive attack on my city and they (Russia) bombed a house 15 minutes from where I live,” Alex said. Although safe from the horrors, her family and friends are constantly on her mind. An app providing real-time information on the activation of emergency sirens in Ukraine, often keeps her awake at night. Conflicting emotions also surface when she shares aspects of her life with her friends back