A Ukrainian household divided by the conflict have wished one another a heartfelt Merry Christmas, reside on Sky Information.

Maryna Poltavska and her kids, who arrived within the UK as refugees in 2022, waved to husband and father Sergiy Poltavskyy as they chatted to him on video.

They are going to be spending this Christmas aside as they proceed to be separated by the years-long battle.

“We’re very happy with him,” Maryna informed presenter Wilfred Frost within the Sky Information studio, praising the work he does constructing UK-Ukrainian relations as a senior interpreter. “It is wonderful,” she stated.

Sergiy stated folks in Kyiv have smiles on their faces and are actually wanting ahead to Christmas and being with their households.

“There are drones flying over and typically there are energy cuts, so it may be arduous typically,” Sergiy stated of maintaining together with his spouse and sons within the UK.

“However we nonetheless handle to seek out time and keep related.”

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It comes as Ukraine goes into a tricky winter amid Russian assaults on its cities and regular good points by Moscow’s forces within the east.

Maryna, who now works as a resettlement officer, got here to the UK along with her sons Robert and Lev in 2022 as they fled the conflict of their nation.

They reside in Kent, the place their neighbours have develop into a second household, Maryna stated.

“From day one, native authorities, Canterbury Metropolis Council, Kent County Council, neighbours, our hosts… they welcomed us with open arms and supported us in each potential manner to assist us settle in and adapt to the brand new life, to the brand new nation.”

They’re able to sustain with Sergiy over social media and video calls, consuming meals collectively. Sergiy is even capable of obtain experiences from his sons’ faculties – and is aware of in the event that they do their homework, he quipped.

“Each time I meet my colleagues, my mates right here, I at all times inform them how proud I’m of my sons,” he stated.