Two families in Nottingham can finally breathe a sigh of relief after a 35-week pregnant Ukrainian mum and child were given green light to come to the UK. Viktoriia Levenets and her eight-year-old daughter Anastassiia Shpak are two of the millions of refugees who have fled their home country amid the "barbaric" Russian invasion.
Just a week after the war was declared in Ukraine, the soon-to-be mum had to make a difficult decision. Mrs Levenets left her home town with her daughter in a desperate attempt to save her life.
But her brave husband Oleg Shpak has chosen to remain and fight for his country. The family that were once happily together living in Ovidiopol, near Odessa where the first Russian airstrikes occured, has been torn apart.
READ MORE: Distraught Nottingham mum does not know if her children are alive after Ukraine invasion
In a statement to Nottinghamshire Live from a refugee flat in Balti, Moldova, Mrs Levenets said: "On the 2nd of March, we left by car to the border under the shelling of Russian missiles, then crossed the border on foot, then transferred to a taxi. A trip that usually takes five hours took us 24 hours.
"At that time, there were explosions in the Odessa region and it was clear that there was no way back. Facing an unknown future was frightening, parting with loved ones was harrowing - we were terrified for their lives. My husband volunteered to join the army to defend his homeland.
"We all hoped that this horror would end in a week or two. Elderly parents and friends remained at home. The whole world has turned upside down. It is very difficult to be alone in a foreign place without the support of loved ones."
Mrs Levents was lucky enough to have one of her friends from childhood living in the UK. Steve and Viktoriia Cantellow and another Nottingham family who offered to be Viktoriia's sponsors, all living in The Park, in Nottingham, were quick to help the Ukrainian mum.
An application was submitted to the UK Visas and Immigration for the two Ukrainians on March 23 to enable them to enter the UK. Although Mrs Levenets application was approved in May, her daughter's visa status was still awaiting approval.
On June 27 and at 35 weeks pregnant, Mrs Levenets and her eight-year-old were stuck in Moldova, frightened about their future prospects. The Ukrainian mum was scared to give birth alone in a foreign country inundated by hundreds of thousands of refugees.
But if Anastassiia's application did not arrive in time, she would have been 36 weeks pregnant and unable to fly to the UK. Steve Cantellow, a doctor and consultant in intensive care in Nottingham and a close friend of the pair, has spoken of his frustration as he was awaiting a response from the Home Office.
"I thought it would all be straightforward", he said. "We have chased them multiple times and our MP Lillian Greenwood approached them on our behalf."
The 47-year-old said he met the Ukrainian family through his wife Viktoriia. They celebrated the New Year's in Ukraine with them, just a few months before the war started.
He added: "We are really good friends. We wanted to help straight away.
"It is devastating on a number of levels. Ukraine is a country that I personally love.
"It is my wife's home town and home country that is being invaded. My wife is Ukrainian and I feel almso Ukrainian myself, and I sympathise with their plight against Russian aggression.
"Our heart goes to our friends who are having to take up arms. Viktoriia's husband, Oleg, is a chef. He does not know how to fight. He wants to protect his country and in our last discussion I promised him that I would take care of his wife and children.
"From our perspective, we were so desperate to get them here to safety. But it has all been so slow. It is in such stark contrast with all the kindness from people here. I think the British have been really kind and open."
A positive response to Anastasiia's application was eventually received on June 27. Mr Cantellow added: "Even if it was a technical error, there is a real human consequence to technical errors."
Wayne and Lindsay Lodge, who offered to be the sponsors of the Ukrainian mum and daughter, have echoed their frustration about the process. Mr Lodge, 54, added: "That is the only down side of it - the application. Immediately every single email that was sent went into a black hole. It is ridiculous.
"Especially taking into consideration all the elements of it, of how desperate Viktoriia's situation is. They are bringing a new baby, they are leaving their homeland, it is so sad.
"We will try our best to make them feel welcome here. The community has been great."
A Government Spokesperson said: “In response to Putin’s barbaric invasion, we launched one of the fastest and biggest visa schemes in UK history. This streamlined system is seeing applications processed as quickly as they come in.
“As of 21 June, over 135,900 visas have been issued to Ukrainians. These give them access to healthcare and allow them to seek employment, and support such as benefits - including universal credit - from the point of arrival."
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