Anatolii and Lidiia Kyrylov, a retired couple aged 69 and 73, found themselves in a position they never expected after spending most of their lives in Mariupol, Ukraine. When Russia invaded their city in early 2022, they were forced to flee due to the intense siege on the trading port. Lidiia described the harrowing experience of collecting snow to melt for drinking water and the scarcity of food during the bombings. Anatolii, who initially dismissed rumors of an invasion, recounted the horror of living through constant airstrikes and tank attacks, with their home shaking as bombs fell around them.
Like millions of Ukrainians, the Kyrylovs embarked on a perilous journey fleeing Mariupol on foot, facing numerous Russian checkpoints along the way. Despite the fear and intimidation they encountered, they eventually made it to safety in Ukraine before being granted visas to travel to the UK. Their sponsor brought them to Aberdeen, where they found solace in the welcoming community and natural beauty. They expressed their gratitude for the care they received and their desire to stay, as their hometown in Ukraine had been occupied, leaving them with no place to return.
Olha Karpets, a mother who had to leave her hometown in western Ukraine with her daughter Inna, who has cerebral palsy, has settled in Aberdeen as well. She highlighted the challenges faced by people with disabilities in Ukraine, such as the lack of accessible infrastructure, and expressed her contentment with their new life in Scotland. Olha emphasized the importance of providing a stable future for her family and expressed her desire to stay in Aberdeen indefinitely, praising the city’s amenities and peaceful atmosphere.
As displaced Ukrainians in Scotland navigate the uncertainty of their future, the UK government has implemented the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme to provide temporary sanctuary to those affected by the conflict. With over 28,000 Ukrainian refugees arriving in Scotland since the invasion, concerns remain about what will happen once the extension period ends. While efforts are made to assist Ukrainians in returning to rebuild their country, the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding their future persist. The Scottish government has allocated funds to support Ukrainian resettlement, aiming to provide certainty and security to those seeking refuge in the UK
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
