A MUM and daughter have fled the war in Ukraine, leaving behind their loved ones to take safe refuge with a family in Cheshire.

Kateryna and her six-year-old daughter Zlata departed from their hometown of Dnipro after Russian forces began to invade the country.

Initially moving to the south west of Ukraine with Kateryna’s husband and family, they then made the brave decision to leave their country last week and travel to the UK for safety.

Describing the scale of war in the country, she said: “We fled to south west Ukraine because our home became unsafe, but even there we could hear the sirens and devastation from this war.”

Departing at 3am UK time on Friday, April 8, from the border with a Romanian airport, the family then had a long wait with no food available before boarding a flight to Manchester.

They eventually arrived at 11pm, where they were greeted by their sponsors Colin and Rhian Adaims - who took them back to their home in Runcorn.

Recalling the heart-breaking departure from their homeland, Kateryna added: “The hardest thing for me and my daughter Zlata was waving goodbye to Max, my husband and Zlata’s father.

“Every day I am fearful for his life, but Max is grateful we are safe here in Runcorn.”

Colin and Rhian decided early on they would like to sponsor a family, but it wasn’t until a friend of Colin’s put them in touch with Kateryna that they were really able to help.

After the couple made initial contact with the family over a Zoom call, the two parties emailed regularly with the hope of moving as quickly as possible.

With only a suitcase between them, Colin and Rhian bought essentials, toiletries and new clothes for the mum and daughter as well providing them with a bedroom each to stay in.

Rhian said: “Zlata was tired from what had been a long journey by bus from the Ukraine border to the airport in Romania and then the flight to UK.

“We have two small dogs that Zlata saw on Zoom, so as soon as she arrived she started playing with the dogs, was full of smiles and forgot how tired she was.”

She also described the youngster as a ‘beautiful ray of sunshine’ who is enjoying exploring the outdoors.

Rhian also described the amazing support they have all received from the community.

Tattoo artist Katya has alo had help from fellow tattooists at Studio 33 in Runcorn, who have ‘been supportive in helping her continue with her work’.

Katya expressed her gratitude for the communities’ response to their arrival, saying: “We have had a warm welcome. I am so grateful for all the support we have received.

“We are grateful to be safe, but I miss my husband Max and my home in Ukraine. I am being strong for Zlata.

"We were so happy before the war started, but now all we see and hear are horrific stories where people are being slaughtered day after day. Lives are being lost and all we want is peace.

“I do not know what will happen in the future, but for now I will do my best to be positive. My hope is that the war will stop, and I can be reunited with loved ones in Ukraine.”