Family's tough decision to leave Worcestershire for Kyiv

Yuliia Rusina, her parents and her two daughters Masha and Ksusha found a host family in Hanley Swan in May 2023 through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

They spent 16 months with host Iain Mackenzie and his partner before moving back to Kyiv in September 2023 to reunite with her husband, Sergei.

Mrs Rusina said: "For me it was a really hard decision.

"My husband - the father of our daughters - was at home in Kyiv and every day my youngest daughter would ask me, 'when are we going home?'."

"It was a fifty-fifty decision in the end. In Kyiv, one day could be terrible and then for three days you might feel safe.

"We are well protected from missiles but sometimes it doesn't work."

The family endured a frightening moment in Kyiv just days ago.

Mrs Rusina said: "On September 2 a ballistic missile hit not far from our home.

"My youngest, Masha, was so afraid that she asked if we can come back to England - it's hard to hear."

Mr Mackenzie and his partner hosted the Rusina's in a property they were renovating at the time, while they lived in a self-contained barn next door.

Mr Mackenzie said: "We saw what was happening in Ukraine and we had the perfect property to help someone, so we offered refuge.

"You become very attached to them - and we became one big family really. We still keep in regular contact with Yuliia."

Yuliia's daughter, Masha Rusina, 9, looks on at a building in Kyiv where she used to take dance classes. (Image: Yuliia Rusina)

Sixteen-year-old Ksusha attended Hanley Castle High School during their stay, while nine-year-old Masha went to Welland Primary School.

Mr Rusina said: "Masha didn't know much English when she arrived, but Iain helped her a lot during those months.

"We had a lot of support from Iain's neighbours and friends too. I love English people because they're so nice and polite.

"I miss everything about the UK because I wasn't so nervous all the time - we could lead a normal life."