51Âþ»­

Zuzanna Obrebska and Basia Rychert say they were both ‘scared and freaking out’ when they heard about Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Tearful and distressed, they were constantly on the phone from 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) to their parents in Poland to make sure they were okay.

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Basia’s family live in Gdynia, next to the northern naval port town of Gdansk, just an hour’s drive to the Russian border, while Zuzanna’s family live close to the Ukrainian border, about 90 minutes from Krakow, in the Polish south.

A turbulent history dating back to the Middle Ages tells Polish people that their Russian neighbours are not to be trusted, and the fear of invasion via Ukraine is very real. While Zuzanna and Basia try to focus on finishing their final year studying Arts and Festivals Management they constantly fear for their families.

“The immediate thing I was thinking was are they going to go further into Europe? And how long will it take?” says Basia.

Zuzanna adds: “I have been angry, frustrated, sad and really emotional. I really couldn’t do much at all for two weeks I was so worried.”

Ever since Putin’s tanks rolled into the East of Ukraine four weeks ago, Polish people have been on alert. Not just to ensure their incredible humanitarian effort successfully cares for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, but also to watch what Russia may do next.

Zuzanna explains: “We really do not know what to expect from them. The Polish are not friends with Russia.

“My Grandma and Grandad remember all the past conflicts with Russia and they have been very scared. I remember talking to them and my grandma was almost crying. She was so worried.

“I was on the phone feeling stressed and worried too, but I was having to put on a brave face to try to make her feel comfortable saying ‘do not worry. You are safe. You are in Poland’.

“Yet, in my head, I was completely freaking out and really not knowing what to think about the whole situation. I was basically lying to my Grandma. If I showed them my true feelings I would cause them more anguish. I can cry to my mum and be honest about how I am feeling, but with my Grandma and Grandad I would rather lie and tell them everything will be alright than add to their stress.”

Basia has concerns for her father as he is a high-ranking officer in the Polish navy.

“I constantly think about my Dad because he is in the military and if anything happened he would have to go and fight. He could technically retire now but he is not going to do that. Not when he might be needed.

“He is a high-ranking officer so wherever he goes at the moment he has to let the forces know where he is.

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“My mum is really stressing about the situation but she is trying not to show it to me. You can hear it in her voice though.

“All of my family are from a military background. I am the first generation that is not looking at a military career but even I am thinking I might have to join.

“We are close to the Russian border in Gdansk making it tactically important if there was a war. It does not make me feel any better that my family and friends are all there.”

Both Basia and Zuzanna’s family and friends tell them they must stay in the UK and complete their studies, but at the same time the two students cannot stop thinking about their families being so far away and worry about what might happen next.

Basia said: “My friends in Gdansk text me and say I am so lucky not to be there at the moment. I am glad I am not there and so are my parents but, at the same time, I have such a strong feeling that I should be there now to support everyone.

“I am so scared that something happens with Russia and I am scared about how helpless I would be if it did. I worry about it every day and every night. But at this point I have to try and carry on with life, do my work and do the best I can. If there was anything I could do I would do it right now but, let’s face it, there is nothing I can do to change the situation.

“My mum and dad tell me just to stay safe and stay well. I would say exactly the same if it was the opposite way around. I have been in the UK for four years and have only seen my family twice in that time because of COVID and travel restrictions.

“I feel lucky that I saw them in February. If anything happens I can look back and think that I got to see them at that time.”

Zuzanna says getting involved in her studies and the support from friends and tutors at 51Âþ»­ are helping her focus more on her work now and she plans to see her family at Easter.

“Due to some medical treatment I have to go back to Poland every two months and the thing that is keeping me going is that I really cannot wait to see my family at Easter. I really want to see them, and hug them and talk to them in person. But I am worried in that time the flights might be cancelled.

“I am trying to live as normally as possible. At first, I was constantly on the phone to my parents and constantly watching the news. The whole situation was paralysing me. Worrying about my family, worrying about what might happen next. I could not do anything.

“But I have assessments and a dissertation to think about. My parents want me to work and finish my degree. It is getting better for me and I want to try my best at university.

“But in the back of my head the worry is constantly there.”

Both students say they are ‘pretty shocked’ about the united front Poland is showing to help refugees.

The Government had previously been in the news for its treatment of people from the LGBTQ+ community, it’s anti-abortion rulings and threats to pull out of the EU.

Now, Zuzanna says, there is pride.

“This situation has brought us even closer to one another. How the government has reacted is amazing. They were waiting for refugees on the border and they have offered them shelter and free health care, free education and jobs.