Ukrainians in Slovakia

This column was created with support from the UNESCO programme Support for Ukrainian Refugees Through Media, funded by the Government of Japan.

“I’m a small woman, but I tell myself I can handle anything,” Yaroslava Lopushanska says, noting that she misses her husband a lot. “And he misses me too.”

A university-educated Ukrainian chemist working in a grocery shop: “It’s still a necessary job.”

Yaroslava Lopushanska thinks about her home in Uzhhorod all the time, but knows she is better off in Slovakia.

Katarína Kozinková
Kostya works as a carpenter. Marharyta believes she will continue her work as a psychologist someday.

Carpenter from Kharkiv: War cannot be grasped through TV

Kostiantyn Chepizhenko and his life partner had never heard of Košice before. However, they are satisfied in Slovakia.

Katarína Kozinková
Daria Otreshko is a Ukrainian student living in Banská Bystrica, central Slovakia.

Being 21 in Slovakia means university. Being 21 in Ukraine means survival, says student

Daria Otreshko, a Ukrainian student based in Banská Bystrica, never turns off air-raid warnings intended for her hometown of Kremenchuk.

Katarína Kozinková
Taras Tsohla in Paris during the Free Iran World Summit 2023.

Ukrainian student sees good in Slovaks despite widespread belief in Russian propaganda

Taras Tsohla does not regret coming to Slovakia to study, but he would like to see Slovak people be more open.

Katarína Kozinková
Alyona Yaseneva and her family live in Rimavská Sobota, southern Slovakia.

War on the mind and canvas: A Ukrainian family of painters finds a safe haven in Slovakia

Russia's war in Ukraine continues to influence Alyona Yaseneva's and her children's art, although less so today.

Katarína Kozinková
Yelyzaveta ‘Liza’ Derevynska.

On Telegram, she helps Ukrainians. In Bratislava, she stands with protesting Slovaks

Yelyzaveta Derevynska, or simply Liza, says that she would have gone back to Kyiv if she were not of help to refugees.

Katarína Kozinková
Taisiya Kosterina.

Ukrainian community worker has helped others. Now she needs help

Taisiya Kosterina somewhat got used to uncertainty in Slovakia, saying it is "not easy" to start all over again.

Katarína Kozinková
Stock image.

Ukrainians do not take jobs from Slovak, are more educated and the economy needs them

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.

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