A UKRAINIAN refugee who has sought sanctuary in Co Armagh has described the terror she felt fleeing to the Polish border with her three young children.
Nelia Ishunina left her home outside the Ukrainian capital Kyiv as Russian troops ordered by President Vladimir Putin edged closer to the city after beginning their invasion at the end of February.
Taking only her three children, Diana (2), Eleonora (5), and Danial (8), the 37-year-old mum had to say goodbye to her husband Yuriy Shenkaruk, who has remained in Ukraine to fight with the country's armed forces.
Following an arduous journey, Nelia arrived in Ireland last month after securing accommodation with her brother-in-law Oleg Shenkaruk, who has lived in Lurgan since 2003.
Speaking through Oleg as an interpretor, Nelia told of her relief at escaping the invasion which has left more than 1,600 civilians dead as of last week, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"It was a panic for us as I didn't have passports for the children and my own had expired, so the uncertainty of that combined with the urgency of the need to get away from the fighting was frightening. I feared for our lives the whole way," said Nelia, who before the invasion worked at the Mitsubishi Motors office in Kyiv.
"We knew we had to get to the Polish border and to safety. Normally this is a seven hour drive, but as so many were fleeing, the roads were jammed so it took us two days, and all the time my fear was getting worse."
Once across the Polish border, the onward journey across Europe to Co Armagh began.
Ukrainian refugees with relatives already in the UK can stay with them under the Home Office's Ukraine Family Scheme, while others can apply to stay with people volunteering accommodation through Homes for Ukraine.
More than 6,000 people in the north registered interest in offering their home when that scheme opened last month.
However, Nelia said she remains concerned for the safety of her husband and others remaining at home to face the Russian forces.
"It's hard with the worry I face, but we also have to try and keep that fear away from the children, as their life has been upturned enough already," she added.
"They have been so nervous with all the changes, but thanks to enrolling the two oldest in a school here they can get some sense of normality back to their lives."
Meanwhile, her brother-in-law Oleg has praised the work of local authorities in the north in assisting Ukrainian families.
Oleg is a member of the Ukrainians in Northern Ireland network, which has been providing information and updates through social media for those arriving since February, including details of job vacancies.
"The here welcome for Nelia and others has been fantastic," he said.
"To be honest, not many of those fleeing who I have spoken to would have known much about Northern Ireland - they would have known more about the south - but they are feeling safe here, and that's thanks to the work of so many dedicated people.
"In my case, dealing with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, I have been very impressed with the help offered to the Ukrainian community, and want to offer a huge thanks for their efforts.
"We don't know when the war will end and the future is so uncertain, but at least many are finding a sense of security again after their ordeal in places such as Northern Ireland."
:: The Irish News has partnered with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – which brings together charities including Concern Worldwide, the Red Cross and Save The Children – to raise money for refugees fleeing Ukraine.
Donations can be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/inews, or TEXT AID to 70150 to donate £10 plus your standard network charge.
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