South Essex Ukrainian refugee spends second Christmas in UK

Earlier this year, Ukraine officially changed the day it celebrates Christmas from the Orthodox Church date of January 7 – as is traditional in Russia – to December 25, in a government move designed to distance themselves from their invaders.

Ukrainians living in the UK have said the move makes “complete sense” and will match their government’s plans, while others said they plan to have two celebrations.

Yuliia Ruban and her son, Daniil, who is now eight, came to the UK on April 6, 2022, from Melitopol in south-eastern Ukraine.

Yuliia and Daniil came to the UK last year from Melitopol in south-eastern Ukraine (Image: Yuliia Ruban/PA Wire)

They stayed with Dr Poppy Gibson, a senior lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, and her family in Benfleet.

Ms Ruban and her son then moved in with a different host family in Leigh in October 2022.

The 30-year-old, who works as a sales consultant in a heating department at Lower Barn Farm, told the PA News Agency she plans on having two festive celebrations.

“On December 25, we will celebrate with our British family who is sponsoring us,” she said.

“Ukrainian Christmas is celebrated on January 7, and we have traditional dishes.

“The most important dish is a kutia – porridge made from whole wheat grains with the addition of honey, sometimes with dried fruits, nuts, and poppy seeds.

“We have lots of Ukrainian friends here and I’m looking forward to visiting these friends, sing Christmas carols and enjoy these Ukrainian dishes.”

Yuliia with son Daniil in London (Image: Yuliia Ruban/PA Wire)

Since living in the UK, she said her life has been turned around.

“I was looking for a job for up to five months to find a position that would suit me and when it was time to move out we were struggling with rent as I didn’t have six payslips,” she said.

“But we were blessed as a week before we would become homeless again, we had an offer from another family who offered us accommodation.

“Daniil came here without speaking any English and the Gibson family really helped him to integrate into society.

“I don’t really know how he feels because he’s not talking about trauma, but he had to leave everything behind – he left his room, his toys, his father, his grandparents and his life.”

Yuliia's son Daniil, who is now eight (Image: Yuliia Ruban/PA Wire)

Daniil said: “I play a lot of sports - swimming, tennis and judo - and I go to the best school and the school does a lot for me.”

As for her hopes for 2024, Ms Ruban said: “The biggest hope for next year is to know that the programme for Ukrainians will be continued and we will be able to build our lives here in the future.”

A National Audit Office (NAO) report in October found 131,000 Ukrainians had to come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme between March 18, 2022, and August 28 2023, but questions remain over its long-term government funding and whether initial three-year visas for those involved will be extended.