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Transcript/ScriptUkraine Refugee Family Journey -- WEB
HEADLINE: Refugees, Twice Over: A Ukrainian Family’s Flight from Russian Shelling
TEASER: Nochovna family fled to Kyiv from Luhansk in 2014, and now forced to flee Russian strikes on Ukrainian capital
PUBLISHED AT: Wednesday, 03/9/2022 at 5:15pm
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Krakow, Poland
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR: Henry Ridgwell
PRODUCER: KWeeks
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, BR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Anna Nochovna, AP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 4:00
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: VPKGF
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[Each of some two million Ukrainians who have fled the Russian invasion has a heart-breaking story of separation and loss. VOA followed the journey of the Nochovna family - four women, aged between three and seventy years old - as they fled Kyiv for Poland, where they are being hosted by a Polish family. As Henry Ridgwell reports from Krakow, it is the second time the family has been forced from their home.]]
((NARRATOR))
The sleep of an innocent child. Three-year-old Ulya has travelled for two days and hundreds of kilometers through a war zone. She’s now safe, in a refugee shelter in Poland.
Three generations of the Nochovna family have been forced to flee their homes – for the second time. In 2014 they escaped Luhansk as Russian-back separatists seized the city. Eight years later, they have been forced to leave everything behind again – as Russia’s tanks circle Kyiv.
((Maria Nochovna, Ukrainian Refugee (in Russian)))
“When we moved to Kyiv, we hoped that we were safe. We bought a house; our life was starting again. I was happy for the children; I even gave birth to my second child. And when I had to go through this for the second time, I couldn’t even believe that this could be happening in the 21st century.”
((NARRATOR))
Maria’s husband has been called up to fight. Their eldest daughter Anna says they decided to flee as Russian missiles hit the surrounding streets.
((Anna Nochovna, Ukrainian Refugee (in English) ))
“We understand that we need to go somewhere to save our lives. I have a sister, she is three years old. And we understand that we need to make something for her future.”
((NARRATOR))
((Mandatory cg: Anna Nochovna))
They packed suitcases and reached Kyiv station. Anna recorded these brief videos.
((end courtesy))
((Anna Nochovna, Ukrainian Refugee (in English) ))
“It’s really hard because they are not sitting in the train, they are just on the stairs and they are begging, ‘please we want to leave Kyiv because we don’t know what to do.’”
((NARRATOR))
It took them two days to reach the Polish border – where they waited in line for 24 hours.
((Anna Nochovna, Ukrainian Refugee (in English) ))
“Seventy-year-old granny, she was just standing and she didn’t have any place to sit.”
((NARRATOR))
Grandmother, Tatiana Novhovna, has lived through Soviet rule and Ukrainian independence. Now, at 70, she’s been forced to flee her homeland.
((Tatiana Novhovna, Ukrainian Refugee (in Russian) )) ((Note different surname))
“I can’t talk about this topic without tears. I just start crying. I'm sorry for the children, for the country, for everyone.”
((NARRATOR))
But as a refugee there is little time yet for reflection. The family is preparing to move on. Anna has found a host family in the Polish city of Krakow.
///BEGIN OPT///
((Anna Nochovna, Ukrainian Refugee (in English) ))
“She will pick us up from the railway station in Krakow. I have wrote to her and she asked if we need some clothes, if we need some food.”
((NARRATOR))
So, after two nights in the shelter, they are on the move again – back to the railway station where they first arrived. They are given free tickets to reach Krakow.
Waiting for them at the other end is Christina Letkowski – the Nochovna’s new host. As the train pulls in, it is a big moment for them all. The journey of escape, for now, is over.
///END OPT///
Tens of thousands of Poles and other Europeans have opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees. Christina – a Spanish national whose husband is Polish – says it is a natural human reaction.
((Christina Letkowski, Host Family (in English) ))
“It’s heart-breaking. And I had to help. I have a free room and I couldn’t say no.”
((NARRATOR))
The Nochovnas say they are overwhelmed by the welcome they have received in Poland.
And Ulya has a new friend: Carmen, the Letkowski’s two-year-old daughter. Slowly, the joy of childhood is returning.
Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, Krakow, Poland
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Krakow, Poland
Embargo DateMarch 9, 2022 18:31 EST
BylineHenry Ridgwell
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
