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Hull man and wife who fled Ukraine return to a warzone
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- John Holmes, a British national, and his Ukrainian wife Liliya returned to Odesa, Ukraine, after four years in the UK despite ongoing Russian attacks and air raid threats, driven by a strong connection to their home.
- The couple, who run a shipping company, are spending most of their time in a village near Odesa due to frequent drone attacks, yet remain inspired by the resilience and stoicism of Ukrainians continuing daily life amid the war.
- Their business has been severely affected by the conflict, with grain exports from Odesa disrupted and operations shifting to the Danube, though they are managing to stay afloat with some work from Greece.
- John and Liliya have been following recent peace talks mediated by the US, which ended without major breakthroughs but included plans for a large prisoner exchange; they note widespread fatigue among Ukrainians but also strong determination to preserve their country's sovereignty.
- Despite challenges such as frequent blackouts and heating disruptions expected in the coming winter, the couple feel fortunate and emphasize the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people facing ongoing conflict.
