Ukrainian soldier travels 4,000kms to Westport to pay surprise visit to girlfriend

A SOLDIER who has been fighting on the frontlines in the war in Ukraine surprised his girlfriend with an unexpected visit to Westport last week.

Vova Pasichniuk travelled nearly 4,000 kilometres from Ukraine’s Eastern front to the shores of Clew Bay to spend time with his girlfriend Natalia Yurchuk, his sister Natalia and her two children Taras (4) and Daryna (3).

The couple, who had not seen each other for over a year, were among over 100 local Ukrainians who gathered at The Quay in Westport to celebrate the country’s Independence Day on August 24.

Since the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion, conscripted men have been forbidden to leave Ukraine.

However, the 26 year old was allowed to leave the country after being given a 14-day reprieve by his commander following a successful mission. He left Mayo on Sunday to return to his duties.

In an exclusive interview with The Mayo News, Mr Pasichniuk expressed gratitude to the people of Mayo for their hospitality towards Ukrainian refugees.

“It’s very valuable for me to see my girls living peacefully and the other people that came here. It’s a great place to become one with nature and be at peace. Thank you to this region and this country for giving my girls and our people this opportunity,” said Mr Pasichniuk, who coached a boys’ soccer team at FC Mezhyhirya in Kyiv before the outbreak of the war.

‘Huge surprise’

Ms Yurchuk said it was ‘a huge surprise’ for her to see her boyfriend for the first time in over a year.

“He set up this surprise with his sister and the whole family except for me, as it was a surprise. I can’t explain the emotions as my joy was impossible to put into words,” she said.

Ms Yurchuk, who is currently living near Louisburgh, said that it was ‘very hard’ to live without her boyfriend for so long.

The couple had been together for three years before being separated by the war.

“It’s hard for her to speak about this because since the beginning of the war I have been doing my best to get on the frontline,” added Mr Pasichniuk.

“I really value our children and our women, so I wanted to get there and fight against the aggressor to fight for them.”

MORE See next week's Mayo News for an exclusive interview with Ukrainian soldier Vova Pasichniuk.