A Clare-based Ukrainian woman is calling for Russia to be made pay for the invasion of her home country.
It’s one year today since Russian tanks crossed the Ukrainian border sparking war in Eastern Europe.
On Thursday 24th of February 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin declared war on neighbouring Ukraine, ordering his tanks to invade.
In the 12 months since the conflict began, 4,255 Ukrainian refugees have been accommodated in Clare, with almost 42% of those settling in North Clare.
Some of those are the family of Ennis resident Mariya Nikashanova, who’s originally from Irpin.
Her family escaped the war-torn state in March and reflecting on the year that’s passed, Mariya says the violence that’s been levelled at her home-country has completely changed her perception of Russia.
A Clare Professor of Politics believes the past year has taught us that Europe’s future hinges on the success of Ukraine in fighting off Russian aggression.
It comes as China has unveiled a 12-point plan to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, saying that “conflict and war benefit no one”.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he’ll keep pushing for victory, presenting medals to serving personnel at a parade in Kyiv today.
Newmarket-on-Fergus native and Professor of Politics at DCU, Donnacha O’Beachain, says our allegiance with the people of Ukrain has completely transformed in the past 12 months.
The war in the east of Europe has had far-flung consequences – one of those being the strain on accommodation in Clare.
Rural communities in North Clare in particular have seen their populations expand overnight, with the number of residents in Lisdoonvarna increasing more than fourfould.
As we approach the Summer season, many hoteliers who had been providing emergency accommodation are now planning on reverting back to catering for tourists.
Acting Director of Services for Ukrainian Services Development with Clare County Council, Jason Murphy, says he’s confident that alternatives can be secured for the more than 4,000 refugees who are currently in the county.
However, he says solutions will continue to be needed if more Ukrainian natives seek refuge in the county.
The Clare Immigrant Support centre is calling for better communication with refugees on the ground about plans to provide accommodation if hotels revert to housing tourists.
Co-ordinator, Orla Ní Éilí says it’s positive that a plan is in place, but that it needs to be explained to Ukrainian refugees in order to allay growing fears over security.
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