'A lot of his friends have died': Ukrainians in Newcastle reflect on a year of war

Ukrainian refugees Natalia Slavinska, Vadym Sukhanovskyi, Alla Sukhanovska and Tetiana Sadovska will commemorate the first anniversary of the Russian invasion on Friday. They are learning English in Mayfield. Picture by Simone De Peak

Ukrainian refugees living in the Hunter say they miss home and feel deep sadness about the war, as the first anniversary falls of Vladimir Putin and Russia invading their country.

Natalia Slavinska, 37, and her 10-year-old daughter Maria are staying with friends at Redhead. They have been here almost a year.