I Am Back in Ukraine 🇺🇦 | My First Visit After Almost 4 Years

After nearly 4 years away, I’m finally returning to Ukraine — my homeland. The last time I was here was in autumn 2021, before the full-scale war started by Russia. Since then, I haven’t had the chance — and honestly, I didn’t want to take the risk. Especially now, as a mother.

My 2-year-old son and husband stayed safely in Austria, and I made this journey alone. I missed my country so deeply that I knew I had to come — even just for a few days. I chose to visit one of the safest cities, Uzhhorod, instead of my native Kharkiv, which lies directly on the border and is still under daily attacks. Going there would’ve meant risking too much.

In this video, I take you with me from Austria to Ukraine. I arrive in Vienna, then board a night bus, and in the morning — I’m finally home. I meet a close friend for breakfast, check into our hotel, and step out into the land I’ve longed to see and feel again. We buy flowers from an elderly woman on the street, wander through quiet roads, and breathe in the smells and sounds I’ve missed so much.

Later, I visit the dentist, then continue exploring Uzhhorod, ending the evening with a warm dinner and a peaceful sunset walk.

This is Part 1 of my trip. In the next video, I’ll share the final days of my stay in Ukraine. It was short, but so meaningful.

Thank you for coming on this emotional journey with me 💙💛

i’m home Hey guys So right now I’m getting ready for 
one of the most luxurious trip which means   a lot for me This trip is going to be to my 
motherland Ukraine Right now I’m getting ready   It will take a pretty much long time because 
we’re based in Austria right now Car ride   train ride then night bus ride and then I 
will be in Ukraine Yeah I hope to show you   my beautiful motherland I’m missing it so 
much I felt like time came for me to visit Noah is eating borsch So guys I have arrived to Vienna   It was a 1 and 1/2 hour ride Now I 
will spend a little bit time here So guys I want to explain you shortly 
that uh I haven’t been in my motherland   uh almost for 4 years Uh the thing is in 2021 my 
husband and I we left Ukraine to Mexico and then   uh in a short time uh the full scale invasion 
started by Russia happened That time I was   pregnant Uh we helped my family my parents 
my grandma to evacuate them and relocate to   Austria My son was born here Uh of course he was 
too young to leave him or to travel to Ukraine I   felt like a risky I was thinking it doesn’t worth 
that risk But this time I feel like I have to go I   choose actually the safest city because it’s very 
much located on the border with Slovakia It’s not   that risky like my native city which is 
attacked every day by Russia I will go to   the safe city It takes short amount of time to 
get there but still I can step on my land can   uh be with my people among people uh breathe this 
air eat food and I just felt like I cannot wait   anymore any longer And uh this trip will be made 
with my friend She lives in Slovakia very close   to that city And uh yeah so that will be like 
a small reunion and uh time together in our country Thank you Sean Usually come to this 
restaurant when I’m in Vienna to get some   sushi and it’s quite fast and I can charge my 
laptop and do some little bit of work I will   eat quickly and I think I need to head uh to the 
bus station I have no idea about that area and   Engin told me it’s a little bit complicated So I 
figure out there I will buy some snacks for the   road there and yeah I will be ready to go Cookie 
with a prediction a change of location maybe in   order Guys I have arrived to the international 
bus station I had a little bit of issue to get   to the proper metro station Stressed a little bit 
but now it’s all good I bought in Billa couple of snacks Okay I found the place terminal where I 
should leave “D” I have one 1 hour to wait here What is it So guys finally I am home So much emotional for me So 
much Right now I’m heading to the   cafe to meet my friend She came 
from Slovakia She lives actually   uh quite close to this border to this 
city and we will spend these days with her The smell is just incredible I don’t know 
what kind of a smell it is Just the home smell I can’t stick to So we had a nice breakfast I 
was missing actually salmon very much   It’s something that is common in Ukraine 
The cappuccino and breakfast costed like   8 and a half euros It’s quite pricey I would say 
compared Yeah when I was like almost 4 years ago   This place become very popular because 
it’s the most safe and yeah the prices went high This is our hotel Super comfortable They were able 
to even divide our bill into two Okay So this is our super room So actually at the beginning we 
booked uh with the two beds but   in the last day they let us know that 
they have one bed but I think it’s very nice and the view to the restaurant So how how do   you find it Dasha? Do you like 
it? I like it This is bathroom It’s my favorite Thank you I love “Uzhhorord” this is 
the installation for this city Mhm Super nice We’re coming to the 
best area I feel like so chill so   peaceful Luckily still can’t 
believe I’m in Ukraine at all Uhhuh Idea in this city to have very small statues Mini Amsterdam Many people are on 
bicycles cycling It’s a good weather So right now our plan is to call the taxi 
and uh I’m actually going for dentist visit,   Dasha goes to handle her things, I think to 
the hairdresser and actually she comes often   here to visit different different specialists 
They have a good service here So we love it Okay so I have done my cleaning It costed 40 So guys we bought some books Actually one 
of my goals uh was to find books for Noah   Ukrainian books Uh it’s hard in Austria 
to find it or it will be very limited So   I’m actually very happy to start hunting on 
this things Yeah And right now we’re going   to have a dinner We didn’t have food from the 
morning It will be nice The day is just amazing So we’re entering the restaurant which 
belongs to to our hotel. This is our window and different types of bread. Wow, super cool But it’s a minestrone Darker Wow, Dasha, what is that? 
It’s like abeef salad Mhm Pasta I don’t know So this day we will finish with a slow walk Maybe 
finding some cake I’m missing and craving for   and eat Yeah And eat it and just chill Thank 
you for being with us See you in the next video