Ukrainians 'praying' for peace on independence day

Nataliia Revkova and Nadiia Hoian both fled to the UK when Russian invaded Ukraine

Two Ukrainian women living in the UK said they hoped and prayed for peace as their country's independence day was celebrated.

Nadiia Hoian and Nataliia Revkova both fled Ukraine when Russia launched its invasion in 2022, and came to live in Suffolk with their families.

Both said Sunday's Ukrainian Independence Day would be "emotional" as they took part in celebrations at The Hold at the Suffolk Archives in Ipswich.

It comes as US President Donald Trump has hosted diplomatic meetings to try to halt the war and get both countries engaged in peace talks.

Mrs Hoian said leaving Ukraine had been difficult

Mrs Hoian had lived in central Ukraine, not far from Kiev, prior to the war.

On the first day Russia invaded, she fled with her husband and children and initially went to Poland before coming to the UK in 2023 through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

"Leaving Ukraine and those first weeks were such a difficult period," she said.

"But we had a lot of kindness and a lot of support here in Suffolk."

Mrs Hoian went on to turn a passion for baking into her career here and set up her own award-winning wedding and events cake business.

Mrs Hoian launched an award winning cake business once she had moved to Suffolk

She felt independence day was "always an emotional holiday" in Ukraine even before the war.

"Now living in the UK it feels even more powerful; it feels like everything about freedom, resilience, gratitude to all our people who continue to fight for their freedom," she added.

"For me it's also a chance to say thank you to British people for welcoming us here for their safety and support they've given us."

Mrs Hoian said she was praying for peace and added in a message for other Ukrainians: "Believe in yourself, share your love, believe in our country, pray for our country and stay positive."

Ms Revkova came to the UK as she wanted to ensure her children grew up away from the conflict

Ms Revkova said it had been a "very difficult decision" to leave Ukraine because she struggled to believe what was happening.

"We woke up the second day [of the war] at 04:25 because our house was shaking and my children saw in the window that half of an aeroplane [crashed] on the next street on our neighbour's house," she said.

"In the next 20 seconds there was another missile like a rocket that broke a very high building where people also lived."

Ms Revkova now makes jewellery and works with shops to sell it

Initially they fled to a friend's underground basement where they stayed for 10 days.

She decided to flee to Slovakia where she stayed for three months, but, keen for her children to have "a normal life", they came to the UK with just their clothes, car and a single credit card in 2022.

While in Ukraine, Ms Revkova developed a love for making jewellery and she now successful works with shops in the UK to sell her products.

She was hopeful there was an end in sight to the war.

"I think the main thing for everybody, not just Ukrainians, is that we need peace everywhere, in every country," she added.