"We want to say to Irish people that we are so grateful for all the kindness and hospitality that they treat us with."
A pair of Ukrainian refugees who have moved to Dublin to escape Russia's invasion of the Ukraine appeared on Sky News with Kay Burley on Tuesday morning.
Allada and Anastasia spoke about how they travelled for four days to the Polish border to escape the conflict before settling safely in Dublin.
"Our homeland Ukraine is under attack from Russian bombs and rockets," Allada said.
"Our native city, Kharkiv, is targeted by the enemy. As you know, civilians are dying every day. Our families who stayed in Kharkiv are hiding in bomb shelters and underground stations to avoid Russian rockets and bombs."
Speaking on how the pair ended up in Ireland, Allada said it came by chance.
"We were in desperation because we couldn’t find accommodation and a job in Poland," she said.
"We became stranded in Poland and we had no idea and that is why we decided to go back to Ukraine, and the fact that we are in Ireland now is just amazing."
Burley then ended the interview by expressing her joy that the pair of them are safe but ended up saying this slightly confusing line.
"I'm so pleased that you're safe and what a terrible journey that you have had but hopefully you can start to build a new life in Dublin safe in the knowledge that the British people are completely behind you, thank you so much," Burley said.
In response, Allada took a moment to thank the Irish people for their warm hospitality and in particular the host family which has taken her and Anastasia in.
"We want to say to Irish people that we are so grateful for all the kindness and hospitality that they treat us with," she said.
"And the Irish family that hosted us, we’re surrounded in this family by care and attention and we can feel family warmth. We really appreciate it and we’re touched from the bottom of our hearts."
https://twitter.com/PhantomPower14/status/1503683839801110528
Ukrainians travelling to Ireland will receive special refugee status and will be entitled to live and work in Ireland as EU citizens.
Almost 6,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in the country since the start of the conflict with Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko saying that 80,000 refugees
could arrive in Ireland over the coming months.
