Mum forges new life in Carlisle as attacks continue on Ukraine

Kateryna Sievodnieva first arrived in Carlisle around a year and a half ago when she was forced to flee Melitopol with her young five-year-old daughter.

In March 2022, Russian forces captured Melitopol.

"When we left our city it was really hard. We just had a few bags and our car, when they opened the corridors, we went to the West of Ukraine, then in two months, the city started being bombed.

"We had two bags, I had a small bag with my document that was all – I needed to be strong for my daughter,” Kateryna said.

As the country edged closer to the New Year, Russian bombardment of the country’s cities continued, including the capital Kyiv, in one of the biggest attacks on Ukraine since the war started.

In the early hours of Saturday (January, 13), a huge wave of attacks struck with 37 missiles hitting several parts of the country.

Kateryna and her daughter have been enjoying the beauty of the Lake District (Image: Alla Stoica)

Kateryna’s father is still based in Melitopol, an area that she said has become littered with Russian mines.

“My dad is still in the occupied city. He's safe for now, but I can't go back. I want to see him,” she said.

In a bittersweet note, Kateryna shared that this Christmas, she was able to call her father, a luxury denied to her last year due to connectivity issues in the war-torn region.

Kateryna, who has PhD in education, has been working as a learning support assistant in Cumbria since her arrival under the UK government's Homes for Ukraine scheme.

"I like Carlisle a lot, I feel comfortable here.

“When I first came everything was new, especially with a small baby - it was a shock, especially when it came to bills and hospital appointments.  But now, I'm okay - thankfully, my colleagues in school have been really helpful,” she said.

Kateryna expressed gratitude to Alla Stoica, a Carlisle-based mother of two from Ukraine, who has been helping support Ukrainians arriving in the county. 

“I was so panicked at first. When I met Alla, I remember she helped me with everything.

“Sometimes you just need that one person to tell you, it's ‘okay don't worry’. I'm so thankful for her.

Kateryna's daughter pictured with Alla's daughters, who have been fundraising to raise awareness for UA.ANTS - a group set up to help families of soldiers who have died whilst defending Ukraine. (Image: Alla Stoica)

“I'm also thankful for my sponsors, they are part of my family now - my daughter has called them Grandma and Grandpa - I have to agree,” she said.

Looking ahead, Kateryna remains hopeful for her country’s future.

"For Christmas, I think I had the wish that most people in my country have, that it stops.

"I just hope the change going forward will be good.”