Four years ago, on a cold wintery morning, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an act that irrevocably altered the lives of millions and seemed unimaginable in 21st-century Europe. The initial assault saw Russian troops roll into major cities, accompanied by missiles striking Ukrainian towns, causing widespread death and destruction. This human tragedy was met with fierce resilience, from border guards on Snake Island refusing to surrender to ordinary citizens protesting in occupied Kherson and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recording a defiant video from Kyiv.

As Russian forces encircled the capital, horrifying atrocities were committed in places like Bucha and Irpin. The invasion also saw attacks on critical infrastructure, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and a brutal siege on Mariupol. Russia had anticipated a swift victory, expecting Kyiv to fall within three days; however, a prolonged stalemate ensued, characterized by trench warfare and an evolution of conflict defined by drones and advanced technology.

The war has led to a mass exodus, with over seven million Ukrainians fleeing their homeland. Over 4.3 million of these refugees currently receive temporary protection within the European Union, with three-quarters being women and children, as martial law requires military-aged men to remain and fight. Many sought refuge in the UK through the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme, granting them temporary visas.

For these families, rebuilding lives abroad has presented unique challenges and dilemmas, particularly as the conflict continues and an end still feels distant despite ongoing peace talks. Yevgenia Ponomarova, a 37-year-old from Zaporizhzhia, now settled in Hungerford with her children Nikita (8) and Sophia (11), exemplifies this. They fled on March 3rd, 2022, undertaking a surreal journey through Lviv and Poland before reaching the UK. Her children, now trilingual in Ukrainian, Russian, and English, have become so integrated that Yevgenia jokes they are