Living ‘a nomad's life’: Plans to settle down up in the air for some Singaporeans who made Ukraine home
There is no home to go back to, said one Singaporean who moved to the country’s capital Kyiv to live with his Ukrainian wife.
Singaporean Ix Shen, who was based in Kyiv when the invasion happened, said moving back to Ukraine is not on the cards yet.
SINGAPORE: Some Singaporeans who have previously lived in war-torn Ukraine when Russia invaded the country are unsure when or if they would move back for the long term.
This comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches the one-year mark on Friday (Feb 24).
On this day last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called a "special military operation" in Ukraine.
For Singaporean Fu Guo Qiang, war was not on his mind when he left Singapore and settled down with his Ukrainian wife in the capital Kyiv.
His family is now in the Polish capital city of Warsaw, where they have sought refuge after the invasion.
“Before, in Kyiv, if we left for a holiday or something, we could always go back because that was like our home as well,” said the 36-year-old, who moved to Ukraine in 2016.
“Now that that's gone, then you realise you can’t go back anymore. Then what do you do?”
NO HOME TO RETURN TO
He added that his life has changed tremendously since the war, and plans of settling down in one place are now up in the air.
It has also not been easy for his family, as they watch developments unfolding across the border.
“For us, it still looks like a movie or like a book, because we didn't feel it,” said Mr Fu’s wife, Ms Valeriia Chernysh. “But knowing that people really went through this and you see they're affected, it's really hard, especially when it's your relatives or friends.”
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said it remains in touch with citizens still living in Ukraine, and has explored options for them to evacuate.
Over the past year, the ministry said no Singaporeans have asked for help to leave the country.
But grave concern about the ongoing conflict remains, including a travel advisory to defer all travel to Ukraine.
NOT TO TAKE PEACE FOR GRANTED
Singaporean Ix Shen, who was based in Kyiv when the invasion happened, said moving back to Ukraine is not on the cards yet.
Mr Shen, who is currently back in Singapore, calls himself a nomad, with no plans to settle anywhere long term.
“I feel that the world is still unstable, in terms of geopolitics. As long as stability is not ensured for the long term, I feel that the best state of mind I should be having is actually a nomadic lifestyle,” he said.
Mr Shen, who has shared updates on living through the war with various media outlets, said the most difficult thing was trying to stay sane over the past year, living life between attacks and wondering if there will be a tomorrow.
“I also gained a lot of very valuable lessons… which I do not wish for anyone to experience,” said Mr Shen, adding that writing has helped him cope and make sense of his experience.
“I think for Singaporeans, we have to really not take peace, stability, independence and infrastructure for granted. I think this should be the biggest takeaway as a Singaporean.”
