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

By The Siberian Times reporter
25 August 2014

Many families with young children among those finding new homes - and hope - in Siberia.

Two more trains in August will bring 930 Ukrainian citizens to Irkutsk. Picture: Maria Olennikova, Irkutsk media

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.

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

An earlier group of refugees went to Tyumen in western Siberia, and to Yekaterinburg in the Urals. Pictures: Maria Olennikova

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. 

Comments (9)

Lazar, Moscow,

How much is Putin paying you to "Troll"!
Jaker, Dundalk
03/09/2014 01:20
3
8
jojnjo, Dublin your opinion is full of paranoid drivel, you people have been lying through your teeth for so long that you have ended up believing your own lies, the more absurd they are, the more you believe them.
You really should go back to the looney-bin that you have escaped from. You would be safe there and they would look after you much better than you can look after yourself.
Lazar, Moscow
01/09/2014 02:32
8
3
A correction for this part.

so there. Enrique, if you took your eyes from Kremlin propaganda you might be able to digest real news/facts.


PS. Why is Putin destroying Ukraine & at the same time putting ordinary Russian lives at risk? His actions today in Ukraine are against all international norms & it's the ordinary people of Russia who will suffer. Stop this tin-pot from continuing his mad venture into all out war because he will harm your country as well. There are many people in Russia who detest what he is doing & some even today protesting openly about it openly, even one person protests. But they are soon picked up by the police & God knows what they are going through now? One thing for sure though...they are the bravest of the brave. Russians, stop being pawns to your government & wake up & think for yourselves, without being told by the state to let them do the thinking for you. Stop being "Slaves"! To the ordinary good decent people of Russia, you are better than that!
jojnjo, Dublin
29/08/2014 06:54
6
15
Part 2.

Of course he was found out after fleeing that he was a toe rag after knowledge came about his palace & other obscene riches while his people were struggling. He tried to burn evidence of his crimes but they didn't burn as he thought they had & now there's a load of evidence ready for when he goes on trial in the future & he will. The Ukrainian Parliament decided with him & his tail having fled that they would elect another leader, so there. Enrique, if you took your eyes from Kremlin propaganda you might be able to congest real news/facts.

PS. Putin, take your "Little Green men out of Ukraine". Now!

jojnjo, Dublin
28/08/2014 21:54
5
14
Enrique...Spain...I see how you been overcome by Kremlin Propaganda...there wasn't a coup in Ukraine, Yanukovych already had agreed a deal with Europe before sly President Putin put a loan of billions in his face to sway him to cancel the deal with Europe. This dastardly deed led the people of Ukraine to protest against him & his cohorts (Putin's buddies) & Yanukovych fled after he (or was it the Kremlin) gave orders for to shoot protesters dead by sniper, either by the vile Berkut Police or even as some believe Russian Special Forces as snipers.
jojnjo, Dublin
28/08/2014 21:52
4
14
Jojinjo, you should remember that it was the US (Victoria Nulan) the one which promoted the coup in Kiev just after the last President elected by all Ukrainians decided to support the Russian offer. That startee the whole process of Ukrainian desintegration.
Enrique, Spain
28/08/2014 08:30
15
4
I am glad to see all those people safe & starting a new life in a beautiful part of Russia; but I have to take issue with the Russian government saying the West is ignoring same. Well if Russia, (Putin & Lavrov) hadn't a started their war adventure into Crimea & then into the East of Ukraine (which they are) then this would never have happened in the first place. God, can you Russian people not see them people for what they are? Pure Users!
jojnjo, Dublin
27/08/2014 08:02
7
18
What a beautiful story and I almost wish I was a Ukrainian Refugee. I have looked at the videos of Irkutsk and it is such a beautiful city. The scenery is beautiful. A truly wonderful life for these very fortunate/blessed refugees. Both Irkutsk and the refugees will be blessed.

God bless you all.

Valentyna (Ukrainian)
Valentyna, Perth, Scotland
26/08/2014 00:31
16
2
Indeed this is good news and Siberia, together with these very wise Ukrainian war refugees will benefit from each other.

We wish them all the best and may God bless them all and a double portion of blessing upon Irkutsk.

I almost envy them this new life in such a beautiful country.

Valentyna (Ukrainian)
Valentyna, Perth, Scotland
25/08/2014 23:04
16
2
1

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