Ukrainian nationals return East to ongoing conflict after seeking safety in Scotland

Mother and daughter Nataliia Vakal and Alona Inshyna discuss what brought them to Scotland, and why they must return to their hometown of Sumy, Ukraine, despite the danger.

Nataliia and Alona in Princes Street Gardens during their time in Scotland

On the 24th of February 2022, after weeks of heightening tension, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his decision to launch a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a brief and defiant National address, declaring martial law and general mobilisation, firmly establishing Ukraine’s’ position on the conflict that was to ensue.

“Children help to make cocktail Molotova”

Alona Inshyna, 34, sits across from me at the dining table, sharing a pot of Chai tea her mother Nataliia Vakal, 53, had prepared. Alona presents her Instagram profile. A ‘boomerang’ of her and friends clinking drinks in a small circle replays on a continuous loop, as if to reiterate how ordinary life was for Alona the night before Russian troops invaded.

“My day when it started, was normal,” Alona said, flitting between English and Russian in order to translate for Nataliia. “Around five o’clock in the morning I started to understand that something happened because near the border people can hear air sirens.”

Sumy, Alona and Nataliia’s home and capital of Sumy Oblast, is just 30 miles from the Russian border. It was one of the first areas of Ukraine stormed by Russian forces on the 24th of February.

“The first day it was quiet, because they wanted to go to Kyiv, but then they understand they can’t occupy Kyiv. That’s why they decided they can take around our city. What they want I don’t know.”

“In the first month, Russian soldiers was around our city. Nobody can leave and nobody can come. No food, no medicine, anything… , no professional army, because everyone was on Kyiv.”

Under Russian oppression, Alona highlighted how the conflict had bound communities and neighbours together:

“Only our civil people, our men start to do something, and everybody help, women, children – children help to make cocktail molotova.”

Hand thrown incendiary weapons, Molotov cocktails are constructed by filling a container with flammable substances, sealed with a cloth wick, and lit before use.

“We keep all bottles, we have a chat in Messenger of people who live in our city. If men need some bottles, they can send a message and all people try to find at home what they need.”

Alona shows me various social media applications. Around 30 minutes into our interview she had received over 78 notifications on Sumy neighbourhood chats, inciting warnings, instructions, and requests for materials.

“Go to the bunker.. It is safe to leave…” Alona recites as she scrolls. “In Sumy we have only maybe ten bunkers, it’s not enough for all people.”

“You have a stress every second”

While Nataliia lives in a private house with a basement, Alona shares a flat with her husband.

“We didn’t use anything. Just a room in the middle of the flat. Sometimes we sleep with our mattress on the floor there, because it’s safer.”

When I ask Alona how her and Nataliia came to the decision to leave Ukraine, she replied: “You have a stress every second.”

“A lot of people from our city leave the first time Russian soldiers go out [leave]. When people had the first chance, they left.”

Alona illustrates a constant state of alert: “We sleep in all clothes, if for example something can happen, you can fast wake up.”

“Near the bed we have suitcase with all documents, all important pills, some clothes. I have in my suitcase food for dog – Half or more of my suitcase is for my dog,” she laughs.

“When the war started, you start to understand that important is only you, your parents, your children, your animals and that’s it”.

“Any mens can’t leave Ukraine”

Making a decision with Nataliia to leave the danger they faced in Sumy, Alona contacted Edinburgh resident, Margaux Lobban through a hosting website, Homes for Ukraine.

Departing on the 11th of July, Alona and Nataliia travelled through Kyiv to Poland, before flying from Krakow to Edinburgh. They arrived in Scotland on the 13th of July.

Using her phone, Alona shows me her home, her dogs, describing what her and Nataliia were forced to leave behind.

“My husband stays with three dogs. My one, and my mothers two. Any mens can’t leave Ukraine.”

Since Russia’s invasion in February, men between 18-60 have been prohibited from leaving the country, in the event that they are required to join Ukrainian forces.

Alona and Nataliia waited five months under threat to leave Ukraine. This alone shows just how painful a decision it was for mother and daughter to leave their family behind.

Of her husband, Alona spoke: “Of course if he didn’t want, I think I didn’t [wouldn’t] leave.”

“But he also wants that we will be in a more safe place. That’s why he understands.”

Alona communicates with her husband every day. He reports to her from home.

“Not far from Sumy, maybe 10 kilometres, every day, 40, 50, 80 rockets”.

Alona recalls: “The most terrible is when you can hear this noise from plane. You can understand it is a Russian plane because it’s really big noise. You don’t know where they put this rocket, you can do nothing.”

In their four months here, Nataliia and Alona have been determined to contribute to Scottish economy and society. In Ukraine, Nataliia worked in healthcare, while Alona managed a restaurant.

Alona said: “Here, both of us work in hospitality, in a café, but it’s not management. I think maybe if I had better English [I might be considered for management role].”

Heavily affected by soaring energy and fuel prices aggravated by the destruction of infrastructure, Ukraine faces significant economic upheaval.

“Here we have two jobs. It will be very expensive at home.”

“I can’t be without husband”

With their family in Ukraine, the safety Scotland could provide was never to be permanent.

On deciding to return, Alona said:

“I can’t be without husband”.

“In Ukraine, some people start to say ‘You have to be sad in your house in your basement’, but we want to have a life, we don’t want to be sad all the time”.

For Alona and Nataliia, the desire to be with family and community outweighs the risks of returning home. A life in safety is no life without the people who matter the most.

“I can’t get to Ukraine quickly, I have to plan”, Alona says.

“Police can stop all men and give a document. You should go to military hospital, and then you will go to war like soldier”.

“If police give my husband this document, I don’t know who will care for my mums house and for the dogs”.

Alona considered: “If for example we lived in the West… it’s not a problem. In our city it is 50/50, it is quiet, but it is not far from Russia, something can happen so fast”.

“Edinburgh is a special atmosphere”

As Nataliia returns from outside, helping Margaux collect washing, Alona gestures: “I like Edinburgh, and of course Margaux, her house. From the first day in her house, we feel like at home”.

Alona and Natallia converse in Russian, giggling and using Alona’s phone.

“Wise! She is very wise.” Alona describes Margaux using Google Translate.

Nataliia and Alona pose in front of a Ukrainian flag at Portobello beach, Edinburgh

“We have strange feelings. On one hand, we miss our home, our husband, our dogs, but on the other hand we will miss everything here”.

“Edinburgh is a special atmosphere, that’s why on Monday I want to go to Princes Street, have a cup of coffee and look on the buildings”.

“A lot of people understand now that they don’t want to live anywhere else”

Alona explains that her and Nataliia know of many nationals returning home.

“Now, a lot of women and children come back to Ukraine”.

Alona reveals her deep Ukrainian patriotism. She is optimistic about her return home, and for the future.

“I think Ukraine will be a great country. When everything is built new it will be great. A lot of people understand now that they don’t want to live anywhere else”.

“We have made friends for life”

Margaux began preparing one of the last meals the women would share in her Edinburgh home.

“You know it’s real, because you see it on TV, but it’s not until you’re with people you realise the impact it has had on their lives,” Margaux said.

“I would want to be with my family also – I understand them going home. We have made friends for life”.

Alona and Nataliia interject: “We will bring Margaux to Ukraine. We are happy to have her”.

“The war unfortunately continues”

A week or so after our interview Alona sends me a Whatsapp having returned to Sumy. She includes photos of her, Nataliia, Margaux, and her dog during their time in Edinburgh. She attaches a message:

“Thanks, everything is fine, except that the war unfortunately continues”.