Ukrainian refugees thank Greater Manchester on anniversary of Russian invasion

Alina will never forget the words written in red block letters as she turned on the news one fateful February morning last year: "Putin started the war". As a journalist living in Kyiv, she had heard all the predictions that an invasion by Russian forces was imminent – but her brain didn't want to believe it, she says.

Now living with a 'beautiful' family in Altrincham, the 32-year-old recalls the awful conditions she endured for six months - sheltering in the cold corridors of her apartment block and in its damp basement - before moving to Greater Manchester last summer. One year on from Russian president Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine, her message to Greater Manchester is simple: "Thank you."

"It's important for us to understand that we are not alone," she said. "Ukrainians are very brave people, Ukrainians are very strong.

READ MORE: A year on from war, how Greater Manchester wrapped its arms around Ukraine and her people

"But it's very important for us to have this feeling inside that we are not alone and we are grateful for all the people around the world who support us."

Speaking at a press conference called by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham on the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Alina Kostrubitska explained what life in Kyiv is like now. Having just visited the city where her husband and mother still live for the first time since leaving six months ago, she reported that her hometown looks 'a little bit different' today.

The city centre smells like petrol, she told the press briefing, because of the generators which are powering businesses in lieu of electricity. The traffic lights do not work in the evenings either for the same reason, she explained.

Speaking to the Local Democracy