Refugee speaks on second anniversary of Ukraine war

Our life in North Devon - refugees from the war in Ukraine speak on the second anniversary of the catastrophic conflict pages 23-25

It’s the largest invasion of a European country since World War II. On February 24th, 2022 Russian troops marched into Ukraine in an escalation of the conflict which started back in 2014.

Two years on, it is estimated to have caused tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties and hundreds of thousands in the military. More than 8 million people have fled the country creating Europe’s worst refugee crisis since the Second World War.

Some like Olena, her husband Andrii and mother Tamara (pictured right) settled here in North Devon, and still live with their host family in South Molton who she describes as “the best in the world”.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said recently that he fears Ukraine is being forgotten, as the war reached a deadly stalemate in the frigid winter weather. There’s a 600 mile front line that has barely moved in months. Fighting is taking place in trenches reminiscent of the First World War.

Olena’s 21 months in South Molton

“Every morning we start our day by watching a family group online, waiting and hoping for good news from Ukraine. Sometimes we all don’t sleep at night, because there is a massive missile attack on our home of Zaporozhye, and it just tears our souls apart from the pain inside,” Olena Subocheva told Molton Monthly.

“The situation is critical. Our city has serious damage to many residential buildings and its infrastructure.”

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A deadly Russian missile attack on Zaporozhye in August - photo Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters

Inset, the battle lines have changed little recentlyarea in pink is land in Ukraine occupied by Russia

“Our relatives and friends in Ukraine are heroes for us, because they are brave, strong and resilient. Right now their young life is passing by, and it could be happy.”

“They say that sometimes it seems that they no longer have the strength to move on, but something turns on inside and they move on. I think that it is very difficult for them to cope with everyday tasks with great psychological and physical stress.”

Food prices near the front line have rocketed, wages are minimal and the threat of attacks loom day and night.

Olena and her mother arrived in South Molton 21 months ago, and were taken in by hosts Tricia and Wayne Hyde (well known locally for their business South Molton Taxis). They didn’t know what the future would hold.

“We are so happy that the universe gave us the best sponsors in the world! We are happy together, we help each other.”

“They support us in our endeavours, we are living a new journey and they are always there and all members of Tricia and Wayne’s family are ready to help at any moment.” They say they love living in North Devon, and hope to have their own home if they can’t return to Ukraine. Olena and her family also take comfort in walking the Hyde’s dog Trey (below), who they love dearly.

The language barrier continues to be their biggest hurdle. Andrii is now working as a carpenter’s assistant in Tiverton and Olena fills her time volunteering at South Molton Community Hospital and is studying English at Petroc in Barnstaple.

“I have the opportunity to practice my English with the lovely patients, they tell me about their travels, about life - it is interesting practice for me and I’m so proud of it. We are so happy to be useful to society!”

“I want to say a huge thank you to all the people of South Molton for being so generous and kind to us, and to the Ukrainians in Ukraine. Your financial assistance is a great contribution to saving the people of ‘Our Motherland Ukraine’.”

“We worry with all our hearts, and fight with all our might for victory for Ukraine! I hug you with my heart.”

If you can help a Ukrainian family find a home in North Devon, or can offer other assistance, please go to: northdevonwithukraine.co.uk