"The day that changed everything": A year on for Ukrainians in the West Midlands

Ukrainians around the West Midlands will be gathering today, as it marks a year on from the start of the war.

Thousands of Ukrainians fled to the West Midlands and around the country as Russia invaded.

Ruslan Vasyutin fled Ukraine with his wife and disabled daughter when the war began last year. It took them three days to reach Slovakia before moving onto the United Kingdom and settling here in Birmingham.

He said: "In the morning we just understood hearing the explosions. I lived not far from Kyiv. It was scary and unbelievable.

"We were hesitating to leave but after watching the battleship from my balcony, I decided it was the best decision for my daughter that we leave."

However, some of Ruslan's family including his mother have stayed in Ukraine and are still there now. Ruslan said: "We are worried, very worried. So, all of us we exchange news and information all the time.

"We are in contact everyday for several times."

Now Ruslan works at Aston University and has set up community groups in the West Midlands for the Ukrainian community. They are for interpreters, psychologists and those that are disabled.

"I believe it is very important to go above and beyond for the Ukrainian community and for my people to be able to integrate as soon as possible."

Daria Varchenco also fled Ukraine and moved to Wolverhampton eight months ago, leaving her husband and family behind: "Everything was going very well, but suddenly on the 24th February everything changed. I packed my suitcase and I was thinking how can I put all my life in one suitcase."

She arrived with nothing and had only once before met the people she was about to call her ‘British family’. At this time, she thought she would be back home in no time.

“I was depressed when I came here. My cousin told me to go make friends, but I didn’t want to make friends, I have friends, I have a life, all in Ukraine. When I look back, I had the perfect life. My job was good, and I always had fun with friends and relatives and suddenly someone just stole our life away.”

Although the initial phase was difficult. Daria was lucky to have family around her. “They are distant relatives, but they are amazing people who have helped me with everything. I came here with nothing, and my English was non-existent but they help explain things to me and show me English life.”

Daria’s husband is still in Ukraine and currently in Kiev, unable to leave the country. They speak every day, often with hours of video calls.

Over time, her cousin introduced Daria to Razom, a community centre in Wolverhampton where Daria was able to find people like her. The centre provides a wide range of support to the Ukraine community in the area. With English classes, a ‘shop’ where people can get household items and clothing, a cafe and craft activities, it’s a space for people to come together and get support as well as a place for them to feel at home.

“I had never done things like this in Ukraine. It helped relax me and we found a way to create things and then sell them. It was a way I could then help the Ukrainian army. I feel I need to do it. I made it, and we sold them at different fairs.

"This date changed everything for Ukraine. It stopped normal life. We don't know what will happen tomorrow or the next day but we hope it will end soon.

"We will have win, we are confident we are win," she said.

Anniversary events like vigils and memorials are taking place around the West Midlands today to remember the start of the war for the Ukrainian communities.