Blogs

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, over 7,000 Ukrainians have found refuge in Wales. The research “Another Battle for Survival” conducted by Gareth Lynn Montes and published by the Welsh Refugee Council in March 2025, provides the first in-depth analysis of the housing journey of Ukrainian refugees in the region.

It took me more than a year after moving to Wales to pick up my camera again. The weight of displacement and uncertainty had temporarily dimmed my creative light. As a mother of two children with special needs, whom I’ve been raising alone for over 10 years, I understand deeply what it means to feel empty, to lose yourself and your sense of beauty.

Hello! I’m Ksenya Bratkova, a portrait and art photographer from Ukraine now living in Wales. I want to share my story with you and tell you how the war changed my life but couldn’t change my love for art and Ukraine.

When I first arrived in Wales, I had no idea how profoundly the people here were supporting Ukrainians during these challenging times. From bustling cities to small villages tucked away in the countryside, the spirit of generosity and solidarity is truly awe-inspiring.