A family who escaped the tragedies of war that saw missiles and rockets destroying buildings in their home town has opened up about their new beginning in County Durham.

As the world prepares to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day on Thursday (August 24), Karina Zaiats has reflected on the troubles in her home country, which she and her family have fled to seek sanctuary in the UK, and County Durham in particular.

To mark the anniversary, Karina and her husband Ihor have spoken of their gratitude for the warm welcome they have been shown since arriving in the UK.

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Up until February of 2022, Karina, Ihor and their ten-year-old daughter Oryna lived in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia.

However, on February 24, 2022, their lives, like tens of millions of other Ukrainians, were turned upside down when Russia invaded.

It was a terrifying period for the young family.

The Northern Echo: Ihor, Oryna and KarinaIhor, Oryna and Karina (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)

“There were missiles and rockets damaging buildings. Every day the drones attacked. Our city is right on the frontline," said Karina.

So, like so many others from their homeland, when overseas nations offered to open their doors to Ukrainians seeking safety abroad, the Zaiats’ minds were made up.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched in this country, through which people from their country were able to make links with people in the UK.

The Zaiats family had a friend living in the North East, who spoke glowingly about the UK.

The Northern Echo: The Ukrainian familyThe Ukrainian family (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)

And so when they had the chance to ‘match’ with a sponsor with a property for them in Easington Colliery, they jumped at it.

The Zaiats family arrived in January of this year and moved into temporary accommodation provided by the council, while Ihor, an engineer by trade, worked with the sponsor to get their new home ready.

And eventually, they were able to move into the property in Easington Colliery, much to their delight.

The family was shown a warm welcome by neighbours who donated pillows and other items, while Oryna settled into a local school.

And Karina and Ihor have received extensive support from the council, in particular Employability Durham, as they have sought to make their own way in their new surroundings.

The authority arranged for them to attend English for Speakers of Other Languages classes.

Employability Durham provided them with support as they looked for work including creating CVs and uploading these to job sites, and provided basic clothing and help with preparing for interviews.

This support has proved crucial in the couple landing jobs at Bristol Laboratories in Peterlee.

Employability Durham also helped Ihor secure a bike to allow him to get to early shifts, via the Wheels 2 Work scheme.

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Thursday promises to be a poignant day for the Zaiats family.

Ukrainians around the world will be marking their nation’s Independence Day - the day the country separated from the Soviet Union, in 1991.

Karina said: “We all miss the Ukraine very much. When I see the Ukraine flag it reminds me of my native country.”

In County Durham, Ukraine’s Independence Day is being marked by the illumination of its best-known landmark.

Durham Cathedral will be lit in yellow and blue, through its council-controlled lighting programme, today and tomorrow evenings.

The flag of Ukraine also continues to fly at the council’s County Hall home in Durham.