A refugee has said she’s afraid for the long-term future of Ukrainians in Cardiff and for loved ones in her home country, 1,000 days since the Russian invasion began.
Yevheniia Riznia, who’s taken the name “Jane” now that she lives in UK, is among the 7,000 Ukrainian refugees who fled to Wales from Ukraine in 2022.
She said that refugees in Cardiff are facing a challenging situation, with many struggling to find housing. This means some are homeless and unable to get a permanent visa.
There are also increasing concerns for those who stayed in Ukraine to fight on the front line. “I want to see them alive,” said Jane.
In February, the Welsh Government announced a new scheme. It allows refugees to apply for an additional 18 months to stay in the country once their current visas expire.
It means that Ukrainian refugees who arrived earliest under the visa schemes can now remain in the UK until at least September 2026.
However, Jane stressed that a number of refugees have struggled with the application process, with many fearing what the next year holds.
In the worst-case scenario, Jane said, “A lot of people have jobs here, their children go to the schools, and if the government stops these visas, there will be a lot of problems.”