‘It’s horrible, I can’t sleep’: Ukrainians in London face anxious wait from afar

Oksana Riwnyj, 58, has lived in the UK for the past 25 years. She remembers her childhood in Ukraine under Soviet rule. Photograph: handout

Oksana Riwnyj remembers life under Soviet rule. “When I was at university, I wasn’t allowed to speak up and say what I think. We couldn’t go to church or celebrate Christmas. It was very tough, especially for the young people,” the 58-year-old primary school teacher said.

Now, the news of Russia assembling troops on the Ukrainian border triggers memories that bring her to tears. “I never thought something like this could happen. It’s too horrible to even think about,” she said.