A Ukrainian family living in Stirling have been left fearful for the safety of relatives amidst the ongoing Russian invasion of the country.
Anna Andrievskaya moved to Scotland in January with her husband Mykhailo and five-month-old daughter Diana.
Little did they know when they made the move that their homeland would soon become a warzone. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his troops into neighbouring Ukraine on Thursday, February 24 as part of what he called an operation to negate threats posed by modern Ukraine.
The assault has seen Russian forces attack airports and military headquarters and has also led to an assault on cities across Ukraine.
Anna was born in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. It was this week reported that residents of the city had set up a barricade with lorries, cars and tyres, blocking roads into the city in a desperate bid to halt Russian forces and to try and avert a nuclear disaster, similar to Chernobyl.
The 26-year-old moved to Scotland with her family at the turn of the year as Mykhailo started a new job at a manufacturing facility near Glasgow.
She told the Stirling Observer: “Stirling was the best place to settle because it’s a small and tranquil city that suits the baby and due to rather low traffic is very convenient for a pram.
“I moved to Scotland without any idea what would happen back in Ukraine. My parents stay in Zaporizhzhia. Fortunately, the city is behind the frontline, but is just 35 miles to the south away, so life is getting hard there.
“Despite being behind the frontline, the city is already low in supplies, so even some grocery shops are empty. There is a curfew between 10pm and 6am. Quite often the air alarm goes off and people should go to the bombproof (shelters). Russians use aviation and missiles, so literally all of Ukrainian territory may be a potential target.”
Mykhailo’s family reside in Dnipro, about 50 miles to the north of Zaporizhzhia. Anna added: “They all are alright so far, but also can’t feel safe because at the very beginning of this war, Dnipro was hit by missiles. To sum up, nobody can sleep well back in Ukraine because of fear.
“It’s a very stressful time indeed. As a matter of fact, despite being here in safe Scotland, I can barely sleep. I’m so overwhelmed with all kinds of emotions like fear, despair, and even hatred toward Russian invaders. The first thing I do each morning is call all my family, friends, and colleagues hoping that they are not hurt.
"This is a time when reading news you do not expect any good news, you just hope that you won’t see the most terrible ones."
Anna is adamant that the war has only helped to galvanise Ukrainians. Anna and Mykhailo this week joined in at a collection point set up at Bridge of Allan Parish Church and items donated there are to be driven in lorries all the way to the Polish border to help Ukrainians fleeing the conflict.
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She added: “This drastic war has united Ukrainian people all over the world and they help Ukrainian armed forces to defend their country, help refugees, and help each other in every way they can. This week, I, my husband, and his colleagues joined a charity event at Bridge of Allan.
“We made a donation and helped a little bit to pack the stuff. However, it is not the only help I am trying to give. The main field I am helpful at is sharing information. I share information about foundations that help Ukrainian armed forces.
“Also, I’m in close relations with the all-Ukrainian business community where I worked back in Ukraine. Now they put all their initiatives for the defence of our country and I’m trying to assist them as much as possible: buying medicines, preparing food for the army, sewing clothes for soldiers, helping in the resettlement of people, and much more.
“In this difficult time, we don’t panic, but try to attract the attention of people all over the world.”
