A Ukrainian mother living in Wells has spoken about her family's escape from war, their new life in Somerset, and the challenges of building a future away from home.

Viktoriia and her daughter Nikol, originally from Kherson in southern Ukraine, arrived in the UK just over three years ago, soon after the Russian invasion. Their story of leaving their occupied city is one of resilience, determination and luck.

When Russian troops advanced from Crimea and seized Kherson, daily life became increasingly unbearable. Food and medicine grew scarce, the internet was cut, mobile phones were confiscated, and residents were only permitted to watch Russian-controlled news. Viktoriia decided she and her daughter had to flee.

Packing their car with as much as possible — including the family cat and dog — they negotiated numerous military checkpoints before beginning a long journey north to Kyiv.

But life in the capital was not sustainable. Accommodation was scarce, and Viktoriia's mother's small flat could not house them long term. With her husband remaining in Ukraine to support the war effort, she made the difficult decision to accept refugee status in the UK.

They landed at Luton Airport in May 2022, carrying only summer clothes, and travelled to Wells. Viktoriia's first impression was how green the city was — and how active its older residents were. "I was surprised at how many hobbies people had after retirement, and how much support there was for the elderly and disabled," she said.

Nikol, who arrived with little English, is now fluent after three years at The Blue School. She is preparing to sit eight GCSEs next year. Both mother and daughter have enjoyed the freedom to travel within Europe, but adjusting has not been easy. Viktoriia has struggled to find work at the same level she held in Kherson.

Reflecting on life before the war, she said: "We had our own flat, the family pets. Nikol had many friends and was doing well at school. Now her school has been bombed, and most education in Ukraine is online. Kherson has been recaptured by the Ukrainian army but is still bombed regularly, with constant power cuts. Those who couldn't escape, especially the elderly, live in fear and endure very poor conditions."

Viktoriia's mother remains in western Ukraine, in what is considered a safer region, though bombings are edging closer. For now, Wells is home — a place where the family has found kindness and support. But uncertainty about the future, and the pain of missing their old life, continues to weigh heavily.

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