When Russia invaded Ukraine nearly one thousand days ago it sent the country's population into a state of flux. Some of those who fled the conflict and came to Australia now face a more certain future thanks to a recent visa announcement by the federal government. It's been celebrated by a gathering of Ukrainians in Sydney today.
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00:00Sydney's Ukrainians celebrate culture, dancing, and most importantly, food.
00:11Ukrainian food can tend to be a little bit carb-heavy, but it's very, very tasty.
00:15Since Russia's invasion in 2022, the community has shown its resilience.
00:20Many here still have family in Ukraine, some returned from the front line not long ago.
00:28As the hits were landing around us, one of them hit me directly in the legs, and I was
00:34just lying there waiting for death.
00:36I was just lucky enough that the guys were nearby, and they evacuated me.
00:4129-year-old Viktor lost both his legs just two months ago, but says he's proud to be
00:48here.
00:49The day that we stop to celebrate various holidays, birthdays, and weddings is the day
00:57that we will lose what I am on.
00:59Earlier this month, the federal government announced that some Ukrainians here on temporary
01:03humanitarian visas will now be able to access a new pathway to residency in Australia.
01:09It means they'll receive more benefits and eventually be eligible for citizenship.
01:13With this announcement, that stress is gone, and those Ukrainians that wish to stay now
01:19are confident that they can build new lives here in Australia.
01:23Like 17-year-old Mika Kovalenko, who arrived two years ago.
01:27Getting this permanent residency means a lot for me, just for the understanding that I
01:33will have a proper education in the area that I want, in the university that I want, in
01:37the country that I want.
01:39Finally settled after so much uncertainty.