RICHMOND, Va. -- More than two dozen Ukrainian families have settled into Richmond-area communities in the year since Russian forces invaded their home country.
Luda Aleksachyna and her young sons are among those families who made Richmond their new home.
Aleksachyna said the decision to leave Ukraine was not easy as she had to leave her husband and parents behind in order to protect her children.
"Don't give up. Please continue to support Ukraine," she said through a translator. "[Ukrainians] should not forget where they came from because Ukraine still needs support. Even if you decide to stay here and live a new life in America, don't forget the Ukrainians. They still need to support their country."
Some of the Ukrainian families that have relocated to Richmond have been given furnished homes and apartments donated by the community.
While Aleksachyna pays for her own housing here in America, she does want to return home to Ukraine.
Ukrainian families shared their stories with the community at an event Friday afternoon at the Richmond Public Library. A candlelight prayer vigil for Ukraine was also scheduled for Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Discovery United Methodist Church on Gayton Road.
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