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A pregnant Maryna Korolova found herself fleeing the war in Ukraine with her husband and two young sons, giving birth to her daughter Emmanuelle in a bomb shelter as they escaped the chaos in Kyiv in 2022. Arriving in Wales with only the most basic necessities, they left behind their home and construction business. Settling in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, the family now operates a cafe on the bustling high street, with the support of the welcoming local community. Maryna expressed gratitude for the embrace they received, stating, “The [local community] hugged us, cried with us, prayed with us – we feel welcome here.”
Joining Maryna in finding success in Wales are two other Ukrainian families who have found refuge in the country. Yaroslav and Oksana Izviekov arrived with their three children in June 2022, after fleeing their coffee business in Ukraine. Their dream of opening a coffee shop was put on hold, but they persevered and opened their own cafe, Zerno, on Wrexham High Street in September 2024, after months of hard work and navigating a foreign business landscape. The couple expressed appreciation for the support received from the local community, remarking on the significant role it played in their success.
Volodymyr Pavliichuk, along with his friends Volodymyr Ivliev and Ihor Tertyshnyi, opened Ruta Kitchen in Neath on January 31st, not for profit, but as a sanctuary for Ukrainian people in the area. With the aim of sharing Ukrainian culture with the local community, their restaurant serves as a meeting place for individuals from both Welsh and Ukrainian backgrounds to come together, socialize, and exchange cultural traditions. Providing employment opportunities for Ukrainian refugees who face language barriers, the owners prioritize community and cultural exchange over financial gain, emphasizing the importance of unity and understanding
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