Famous Ukrainian journalist and TV presenter Marina Leonchuk now lives and works in the UK. But recently she returned briefly and spent a week in her homeland. Marina interestingly compared life in Britain and Ukraine, and thanked the Armed Forces of our state.
Before the large-scale Russian invasion, Marina lived in Morozovka, Kyiv region. This is where she spent the last week and, as she herself promised, she will definitely return here.
Marina Leonchuk says that it is impossible to compare life in Ukraine and in Britain, because “the comparison would be unfair,” but she did it.
" In Ukraine – not ideal. It's calmer in England. In Ukraine it’s more acute. Each of these phrases has some truth, but no integrity. In England I'm grateful for the safety. Because my son and I can sleep peacefully without being startled by sounds. You can just live there and it’s a huge value. And in Ukraine I am grateful for life itself. For the way it feels - deeper, stronger, priceless. Here people look danger in the eye and every day has weight,” she said.
Marina claims that she is happy at home, although at the same time she is scared. The woman admits that “she would go to Ukraine more often, but she can’t yet,” and one way or another, she is grateful to both Ukrainian defenders and Ukrainians in general.
" For protection. Limitless, forever. And the people who live in Ukraine - work, relax, support each other and the army, maintain a “normal” life. This is a choice and it is worthy of respect, because thanks to this choice I can feel gratitude, peace and love, even from a distance,” says Marina.
But the distance, we hope, will not be long. " That’s why I will return home,” the refugee promised.
Morozovka is a village in the Baryshevsky settlement community of the Brovary district of the Kyiv region. Population – about 2.4 thousand. Human.
Since the end of February 2022, the Brovary district has been the scene of fighting between Ukrainian defenders and Russian invaders. Already in March, fighting took place on the territory of the Baryshevskaya, Kalityanskaya and Velikodimerskaya communities, and the local population was partially evacuated to Brovary. Only on the first of April the occupiers were expelled from the territory of the region.
Marina Leonchuk (born in 1981 in the neighboring village of Sezenkov) began working in journalism already in her final years at the institute - first in newspapers (Uryadovy Kurier, Ukraine is Young, etc.. ), and then on the radio. For some time she was a news presenter at one of the capital's radio stations.
In 2007, she “accidentally got on television” (by her own admission), and worked on the air of leading Ukrainian broadcasters.
And now Marina Leonchuk calls herself a “public speaking and intercultural communication coach” and lecturer.
" I work with those who are looking for meaning and form in communication,” she says about herself.
About 70% of Ukrainians who are currently abroad do not plan to return to their homeland, because they have already established their lives there - they have work, housing and stability. According to experts, the longer the war lasts, the less likely these people will decide to return to Ukraine.