Ukrainian refugee Lyuba, living in Aberdeenshire, says she 'never tires' of thanking the 'great people' of the area
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A UKRAINIAN refugee forced to leave her husband and home in Kharkiv says "higher forces" and "great people" in Aberdeenshire made her 50-hour journey possible.
Liubov Buriak (57), Lyuba for short, made a 2360 mile journey from Kharkiv, on the Ukraine-Russia border, to Dawn Leask's home near Foveran.
Lyuba shared stories of the terrible conditions she left behind and says the people of Aberdeenshire are "just great".
Speaking through a translation app on her phone, Lyuba said: "Unfortunately, our city is bordered by the Russian Federation.
"Therefore, we were one of the first to be attacked and they captured a large part of the Kharkiv region and even the city itself.
"In the early days of the war, some areas were also heavily attacked and bombed, which actually continues to this day.
"This was a shock for us, because for all these years we lived as respectable neighbours and many of us have relatives on both sides. Both in Ukraine and in Russia."
Host Dawn said: "I was so worried about Lyuba before she left, because Kharkiv had just started being bombed again."
Lyuba is in daily contact with her husband, who is still in Ukraine but encouraged her to leave for her own safety.
Being over retirement age, Lyuba's husband could have escaped the country but wanted to stay and protect his home.
Lyuba said: "My husband is still in Kharkiv. It is important for a man to know that his home is whole: that his garden is in bloom, that his dog is running around his house and that his wife is safe.
"I think all that gives him strength for today.
"I do not know if he is proud of my journey here or not, but at least he is calm about my life."
After receiving a letter from the British Government granting her permission to leave, Lyuba travelled non-stop until she reached Dawn's home.
Her stressful 50-hour solo trip involved four train rides, two flights and car journeys, to catch a flight to Edinburgh.
She originally planned to travel to Gdańsk for a flight to Aberdeen but had to make a last-minute dash to Krakow instead to avoid a three-day wait for a plane.
Lyuba said: "I was surprised how I covered these 3800 km in 50 hours. It was almost without food and without sleep.
"You know, I believe that if a person really wants it, and really needs it, then all higher forces help to make it happen."
One of the few items Lyuba brought from Kharkiv was a Ukrainian flag she and her husband previously brought on a journey across Ukraine.
Lyuba and Dawn found each other through a Facebook page which helps Ukrainians meet Visa sponsors.
Speaking on the page the two realised they were very similar.
Lyuba said: "After talking the first time, we started chatting and realised we have lots in common.
"We both love our homes, we love scenery and we love dogs.
"In general we have a lot of coincidences, so I was happy to come to this particular house.
"Though, I think it is not just a chance meeting because even the name Dawn is in tune with the place I was born – and the Don river also flowed there, as it does in Aberdeenshire."
Dawn said: "Lyuba is a keen gardener at home so she is very good with plants and whenever we are out she is always looking at things.
"She has started trying to get my garden into order.
"My husband Robbie wanted to plant some wildflowers in the garden and he had an idea that we would just dig it up and throw the seeds in, but Lyuba insisted we do it properly."
This common interest in gardening and nature has also helped Lyuba manage life in tragic circumstances.
She said: "When I am walking through your parks, I find the same plants as us, the same trees as us.
"It is all like my own."
These similarities extend to the people of the two nations.
Lyuba said: "I think we are almost the same and the only thing is the language barrier, which separates us a little bit, but it's good that we can use an interpreter.
"This brings us closer together.
"I never tire of thanking people here every day.
"They are so sincere in their desire to help us that sometimes even our friends there in Ukraine were not like that."
Aberdeenshire charity Scotland Supporting Ukraine has been a lifeline for the pair.
Dawn and Lyuba have been making a regular trips up to Peterhead to visit the charity's hub since its opening.
The Peterhead hub is a space where refugees and host families can meet others in their situation and pick up donated items.
Head of Scotland Supporting Ukraine Amanda Richardson said: "For the last couple of weeks we have been stocking the hub up there with clothes, toiletries, toys and other essential items that families may need who are arriving in Aberdeenshire.
"Without support from across the whole community in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, we wouldn't have the hub up in Peterhead that is fully stocked with clothes for families who are arriving with carrier bags.
"That is all a lot of families arriving here have."
Previously an estate agent, Lyuba has wasted no time in exploring the local area and appreciating differences in architecture.
She said: "I like the small town of Ellon and also Aberdeen because the architecture is very interesting.
"I really notice this, because my work used to be real estate and, for me, the architecture of Aberdeen especially is really wonderful."
With many Ukrainians still searching for an escape to Scotland, Lyuba urged people in both countries to speak person-to-person.
She said: "People should not be shy or afraid to communicate with people participating in this program.
"I would encourage people to contact others directly on Facebook, or another messenger, so people can take steps towards each other.
"Many of those who ask for help are embarrassed to ask a specific person or to take it.
"If this would change, then I think everything would be fine, because you have wonderful people. Very wonderful people.
"They are so sympathetic and kind that I just never get tire of being surprised every day."
Dawn said: "Also some in Ukraine are not actually getting specific sponsors, because they don't want to have to ask for help from specific people - it is heartbreaking.
"It is heartbreaking that there are so many people in need.
"I would take them all in if I could."
For more information on sponsoring click here.
Click here for more stories about the Aberdeenshire community response to the Ukraine conflict.
