Ukrainians in Ireland

The war in Ukraine started three years ago. Russia started the war. About 6.8 million people left Ukraine.

Many of these refugees are living in countries near Ukraine. But about 110,000 refugees went to Ireland.

Today, Ukrainian refugees met in Dublin. They walked through the city. They want to help friends and family in Ukraine.

At the start of the war, Artem Kuraksyn was 15. His city became dangerous. Everything changed.

Artem Kuraksyn: "Today is 23rd of February. And it's - for me, three years ago, it was the last day of peace. It was last day of peaceful life. And since then, everything has changed. The next day, 24th of February, at 4am - I live in Kharkiv, I lived in Kharkiv, it is a city that borders Russia. We heard explosions and the peaceful life was over."

Russia and the USA are talking. They want to end the war. But they aren't listening to Ukraine.

The talks will change Ukrainian people's lives. This is important for Olha Chekmaieva. She's from Ukrainian Action in Ireland.

Olha Chekmaieva: "We want to be heard. We want the politicians to remember that behind their decisions right now - the decisions that they, where, where they do not include us as country and as people - that we are still there. That there are people's destinies behind it."

People in Ireland welcomed Artem. They are kind to him. They understand his situation.

Artem Kuraksyn: "I spent a year there, and only in July 2023 I arrived in Ireland. And this country's welcomed me, and it was amazing here. It's welcoming country. They respectful to you, and they understand your struggles."

President Putin wanted a short war. But Russia didn't win quickly. Its fight in Ukraine continues.

Three years of fighting damaged lots of land. But Russia only took 11 percent more Ukrainian land. It took other parts of Ukraine in 2014. 42,000 ordinary Ukrainians are hurt or dead. Student Anastasia Koslova's sad. But Ukrainians didn't give up.

Anastasia Koslova: "We all feel sadness today, but in the same time, we are proud for our fighters. We are proud for our fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers, who are try to save our country from the occupation." View Less