Hundreds of Ukrainian war refugees welcomed in Irkutsk to start new life

The latest groups of refugees to arrive comprises 606 people including 175 children, with 20 below the age of 12 months. All have fled the humanitarian nightmare in eastern Ukraine, to which the Russian government accuses the West of turning a blind eye.

Many of the fleeing refugees have seen terrible sights as their apartment blocks were blitzed, and their old stability destroyed. 

Many more are expected to arrive in Siberia, as they flee the violence in the territories of Lugansk and Donetsk.

Two more trains in August will bring 930 Ukrainian citizens to Irkutsk, safe from the bombs and bullets in their native land.

'Those seeking jobs will consider the vacancies we have in the region,' said local official Valentina Voblikova.

Irkutsk has led the way in offering a new life to the refugees, and people who had decamped to Russian-run tented refugee camps close to the Ukrainian border have opted to travel east, fearing long-term mayhem in their home regions. 

For many the decision was abrupt but they were glad to have a new home. 

Before leaving his refugee camp in Rostov region, Alexander, 73, said: 'Can you believe it? Just two days ago I was having breakfast in Lugansk in the apartment in which I was born, and now it no longer exists. It's been destroyed, and now, at my age, I have to start my life over in Irkutsk'.

Dmitry and Anna fled with their two children from a village close to war-ravaged Lugansk.

'Leaving will allow us to turn the page', said Anna. 'Our children will be able to go to school normally and grow up without anyone accusing them of being on one side or the other'. 

Dmitry said when he gets his first rouble wages from his new job, he will buy clothes for his family, pots and pans, and a fridge.

'Little by little, we'll build ourselves a new life in Russia better than the one we had in Ukraine', he said.

An earlier group went to Tyumen in western Siberia, and to Yekaterinburg in the Urals.