A young Ukrainian girl who fled her war-torn homeland to safety in Ireland has now started school.
Zlata Vynnyk escaped Russia’s bombs last week and was yesterday attending class for her first day at St Joseph’s National School in Coolock in Dublin.
The six-year-old joined her cousin Ronan Gamanin Korniiets, 8, who is in Second Class in St Joseph’s.
Zlata’s mother Kristina Vynnyk, 30, and Ronan’s mother Olena Korniiets, 46, were very emotional as they took the children to school yesterday.
It was very sad for them because Kristina husband Olexandr, who is Zlata’s father, remains in Ukraine with her parents amid the worsening war.
Men aged from 18 to 60 are banned from leaving Ukraine and many are becoming armed civilian soldiers to block Russia’s advance.
Olena told the Irish Mirror: “Zlata went to school, but it was not easy.
“She wouldn’t let go of her mother, so Kristina stayed with her all day in the school.
“They also visited Ronan’s class. He was really happy to go with her in the morning, to take her to his school.”
Olena and her husband Roman, who is Kristina’s brother, welcomed Zlata and Kristina at Dublin Airport last Wednesday.
Kristina, who teaches English, fled through Moldova and said: “I am worried for my family, I am worried about the bombs.
“My husband and my parents are still there. I just want them to survive. I left so that our daughter Zlata can live.”
Olena added: “She is worried about her husband and her parents. We don’t know if he is fighting but we know that he is not safe.
“Kristina said they are shooting everywhere. My own parents are also still in Ukraine and I can hear the shelling and air raid sirens when I call them.
“My mother is 68 and my father is 75. They are in Chernihiv near the Belarus border, where Russian soldiers have been attacking.”
