Ukrainian Refugee Expresses Difficulty in Feeling Festive

A journalist from Ukraine, now residing in Manchester after escaping her home country, expressed difficulty in experiencing a “festive mood” as she observes her third Christmas in the United Kingdom. Maria Romanenko, aged 32, departed the Kyiv region for England’s north west soon after the Russian invasion commenced on February 24, 2022, accompanied by her partner, Jez Myers, a Manchester native. The couple undertook a dangerous journey to the Polish border, where they spent four days awaiting permission for Maria to enter the UK. They ultimately arrived on March 2, 2022. Ms. Romanenko stated that the Christmas and New Year’s Eve period often serves as a reminder of everything she left behind, including family members she “never got to say goodbye to.” Among these was her grandmother, also named Maria, who passed away at 91 years old on Christmas Day in 2022. “When I was fleeing it was a very quick decision – I couldn’t really see my family because I was worried for my safety,” Ms. Romanenko recounted. She continued, “I never got to say goodbye to her and a few months later I found out that she passed away.” “It reminds me that I won’t be with the other members of my family, so my father and my brother – who are in Ukraine, and I will also not be able to celebrate the festive period with my colleagues who were killed by the Russians.” The reporter, Ms. Romanenko, mentioned that she had not anticipated being separated from her homeland for such an extended duration. Characterizing her third Christmas in the UK as “another milestone,” she remarked, “I think it is the same for every Ukrainian.” She further stated: “It’s very difficult to be in a festive mood when you know that your friends and family could be killed but I’m trying to feel positive.” When questioned about her expectations for the UK government in 2025, Ms. Romanenko expressed a desire for her country to be supported “in the ways that Ukraine is asking for, to provide all the weapons that they are able to provide.” She also added: “We need to pressure Russia to stop thinking that they can get away with this behaviour.” “So just continue to support Ukraine and give Ukraine more defence weapons because without those we can’t really defend ourselves.” Listeners can find the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and connect with BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story suggestions can also be sent to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Details on its external linking policy are available.