The last few weeks have seen Russia’s invasion of Ukraine transform the latter country into a war-torn area, with thousands getting killed and millions upon millions of residents fleeing their hometowns in search of refuge.

GuideMeMalta.com spoke with Anastasiaa Nikolaieva, a Ukrainian woman who settled down in Malta a few years back, to get her perspective about this situation.

This is what she had to say:

What brought you to Malta and what are your thoughts about the country?

I moved to Malta three years ago to join the Maltese office of a company where I worked in Ukraine. I like Malta because of the warm winters, tasty vegetables and fruits. I met a lot of amazing people here.

What are your favourite things about Ukraine?

Ukraine is my homeland. I like a lot of the things there. I enjoyed spending summers there. With every visit, I noticed how cities and society were changing. The country became more and more European. People were concerned about ecology, sustainable growth, and cultural development issues. I enjoyed seeing the positive changes. I used to think about when it was the best time to go back. Now I want to go back even more. I want to help rebuild the country.

What is it like to witness the war when you’re far from home?

This is a nightmare that has not stopped for almost a month. I cried all time and worked without days off for more than two weeks. Because half of my team were in Kharkiv, they could not work. So, I had to organize the working process until they got to safety.

Every day I talk to my parents like it's the last time I will talk to them. When I saw the Viber message from the neighbours’ chat that the house was being bombed, I vomited from powerlessness. Thank God everyone survived. I help in any way I can - either to find contacts of volunteers or some financial assistance to specific people whom I know.

Recently, I helped a guy from Malta to get stuff for going to Ukraine as a volunteer. My relatives will be visiting and living with me soon.

Do you have any family or friends in Ukraine? How are they coping?

I have many relatives and friends left in Ukraine. Some stayed in the occupied cities; some went to serve in the army; some went into the other regions of Ukraine or abroad. My parents refused to leave the country. My dad and brother work in strategic production - they repair ships, including military ones. My mum won't go anywhere without them. Everyone who has left, no matter how far, wants to return home as soon as possible.

What’s the Ukrainian community like in Malta? Has it changed at all since the beginning of the war?

I met a lot of wonderful people in Malta. Mostly we met because of our children that used to play together. Now we are even closer than we were before.

What can Maltese people do to help Ukraine?

There are many ways to help. I will focus on assisting Ukrainians who came or will come to Malta soon. It is hard for people financially and emotionally to be without a job. Many people want to return home as quickly as possible. Therefore, complex bureaucratic procedures for legalising status should be simplified.

Give people the opportunity to work while the Armed Forces of Ukraine do their job and ensure security in the country. It would also help to have some children's care services since most people with children are coming.