by Khristina Kuzma
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was a turning point not only in the country’s history but also in the lives of millions of its citizens. People who only yesterday dreamed of a future at home found themselves in foreign countries in a matter of days, forced to start from scratch. Some fled war, some fled loss, and some fled in search of a chance for a normal life. This essay tells the stories of two Ukrainians, Katia Matviychuk and Vladyslav, who moved to the UK and are finding new roots in their own ways.
Katia Matviychuk is a girl from a small town in eastern Ukraine. Her story is an honest account of how emigration affects personal identity. Katia says that after the war broke out, she found herself in the UK, a country that became a temporary refuge for thousands of Ukrainians. She admits that it was very difficult to adapt: “There are different people here, a different rhythm of life, a different language – I felt like I was in someone else’s body.” Katya says that her main desire is to remain herself, not to lose her Ukrainian heart among the streets of others. She continues her studies, tries to develop herself, and at the same time keeps in touch with home. For her, being Ukrainian is not just a passport, it is a responsibility. Her voice trembles when she talks about her family back in Ukraine. There is pain but also strength in every word.
A different perspective on emigration is offered by the story of Vladislav, a young Ukrainian man who, together with his girlfriend Albina, opened a café in Chester. The place. The cafe is called High Coffee Bar and has become not just a business, but a small island of Ukraine in a British city. The cafe is decorated in yellow and blue colours, Ukrainian music is played, and the menu includes delicious natural coffee and Ukrainian sweets. “We wanted to create a place where Ukrainians could come and feel at home,” says Vlad. For him, it’s not just about business, but also about supporting the community. The video shows how cosy and favourable the location is. Both Ukrainians and Brits come to the restaurant to try something new, to talk, to support.
The two stories are different, but they have one thing in common: a deep desire to preserve themselves and help others. Katya is looking for herself in a new reality, while not losing touch with her country. Vlad is building a Ukrainian environment in a foreign land, creating a place of strength for others. Both of them are the faces of the new wave of emigration: not escape, but transformation.
Ukrainians abroad today are not just refugees. They are ambassadors of culture, language, and strength of spirit. Their presence in Europe is changing attitudes towards Ukraine and spreading its voice. The stories of Katya and Vlad are just two examples out of thousands, but they contain hope. The hope that even in the darkest times we are able to hold on to each other, to build, to love and not to forget who we are.
Today, Ukrainians abroad are both ambassadors of their country and travellers in search of a new self. They open businesses, study, work, and volunteer. And most importantly, they do not forget where they come from.
