The 35-year-old said returning to the war-torn country was a “better option” than staying in the UK.
A Ukrainian refugee who returned to Kiev after initially fleeing for a better life says the poor housing she was given in the UK was the reason for her reluctance to return.
Taisiia moved to Swansea in June 2022 with her then seven-month-old daughter Solomiia, coming to the UK as part of the government's Ukraine Home scheme, which allows Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family to apply for permission to enter the country in order to Escape the conflict back home.
Her husband Demutro stayed in Kiev to work, causing a breakdown in the family.
Initially Tayshia lived in hotels in Swansea until the local council offered her social housing in the Mumbles area of the city.
After viewing the property, Taisiia told wales online She refused to live in their house because it was in such bad condition.
“There were holes in the walls and floors, it smelled like dog shit and the radiators were leaking,” she said.
“To be honest, the basements in Kiev are in better condition.”
Despite the risks, Tayshia made the difficult decision to return to Kiev with her daughter.
“We have been back in Kiev for 21 days, but we have not slept because of the attack.
“We ended up feeling like zombies,” she added.
After comparing various options, Tayshia paid £2,000 of her own money to local volunteers in Swansea to renovate the house.
Mumbles locals helped lay new floors, plaster walls and paint. Taisiia said she was very grateful.
“Without people's help, I think we would be living in Kiev, even though it is unsafe. We are very grateful for all the help we have received,” she said.
“July was the scariest month of my life for me, packing the house alone with a little baby was very difficult, very, very difficult.”
Tayshia has since returned to Swansea with Solimya and credits the hard work of local people for her improved quality of life.
Despite the 18-month visa extension announced in February, asylum seekers like Tesia still feel a great deal of uncertainty about their futures.
This certainty was alluded to by Jennifer Morgan, a lecturer in immigration and asylum law at Cardiff University, who said Ukrainians in Wales still faced “worrying times” despite fleeing dangers in their home country.
She said the extension would only “further advance the problem” for those struggling to access housing and education.
Despite the difficulty of being away from her husband and family, Tayshia tried to make a life for herself and her daughter in Wales.
She is currently taking a university course to transfer her psychology qualifications to the UK, and Solomia has also received a grant to attend nursery school.
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