A Ukrainian woman who has made North Wales her home since 2022 has spoken to members of Llandudno Rotary about her country’s history, the impact of the war and her hopes of one day returning home.

Olesia, who arrived in North Wales with her two young children following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, addressed 15 Rotarians and guests at the club’s meeting on Tuesday, 3 November.

She outlined the long and often complicated history shared by Ukraine and Russia, emphasising that Ukraine’s identity and history pre-date the Russian Empire.

Her talk traced the development of modern Ukraine, including its brief period of independence after the First World War, before becoming part of the Soviet Union. She also described some of the most difficult periods in the country’s history, including the Holodomor famine under Stalin, the Nazi occupation during the Second World War and the subsequent Soviet counter-offensive.

Olesia brought the story up to the present day, explaining the events leading to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, unrest in eastern Ukraine and the full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.

Alongside the historical account, she spoke about her life in Wales and the home she hopes to return to when the war is over.

She remains hopeful that she will be able to go back to Ukraine, while reflecting on how well her children have settled into life in Britain and the increasingly Welsh identity they are developing.

Rotary Club president Sarah thanked Olesia on behalf of members for sharing her experiences and providing such an informative insight into Ukraine and its people.

Her talk was warmly received, with members giving her a standing ovation.

The Rotary Club of Llandudno, founded in 1927, supports charitable initiatives through fundraising and community projects. It also operates a Friends of Rotary scheme for people who want to stay connected with the club without taking on formal membership.

More information is available at www.llandudnorotary.org.