After fleeing a city under siege, this Ukrainian family hopes to make Adelaide their permanent home

They fled Ukraine when their home came under siege, now in Adelaide, this Ukrainian family is pleading with the government.

When Russian bombs started falling on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, Iryna Buynevych and Maksym Tsupko couldn’t quite believe war had broken out.

But as Russia continued to inflict countless atrocities on their city, they knew they had to leave.

The family are among thousands of Ukrainians who came to Australia seeking refuge from Moscow’s bloody war.

Iryna and Maksym, who came with their three children and Iryna’s mother, say they are grateful for the safety and opportunities Australia has given them.

But with no end to the war in sight and their humanitarian visas due to expire next year, they worry about their future.

Now, living in Westbourne Park, the family are hoping the government will provide them with a pathway to stay in Australia.

“We’re thankful to the government and the local community … for their support of Ukrainians,” Maksym said.

“We’re just asking the government for a little more help,” he added, referring to the visas.

Ukrainian Refugees: Parents Iryna Buynevych and Maksym Tsupko with their kids Mark 11, Yan 7 and Kira, 6. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

‘Nowhere to go back to’

Iryna and Maksym’s home city was seized by Russian forces in May of 2022 after a months-long campaign that killed thousands and left most of city in ruins.

Even if they were able to return to occupied Mariupol, the consequences of going back would be dangerous.

“We have nowhere to go back to,” Iryna said.

Iryna and Maksym’s home city was seized by Russian forces in May of 2022. Picture: Supplied

This is the second time the family has been forced to rebuild their lives.

Iryna and Maksym fled Donetsk in 2014 when Russia encroached on the eastern Ukrainian city and again in 2022, when their second home in Mariupol came under siege.

At first, they watched colleagues and neighbours flee but decided to stay put.

A local supermarket, around 50 metres from Iryna Buynevych and Maksym Tsupko's apartment, was destroyed by a Russian strike in March, 2022. Picture: Supplied

But as Russian tanks and troops advanced on the port city, the brutal reality of Moscow’s war soon started sinking in.

When the sound of bombs grew closer and louder, the family began sleeping in the corridor in case a nearby strike shattered their windows in the night.

“I would lie awake at night and pray that if there was a strike on our house it would just kill us all instantly,” Iryna said.

They knew they had to leave when in early March a bomb fell on a nearby supermarket, tearing off their neighbour’s leg while she was out for a walk with her daughter.

“At that moment, we understood, the war is here,” Maksym said.

“This happened to someone we know and we could be next.”

Back then, Maksym had been working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). He and Iryna would visit the office regularly to use the generator and charge mobile phones for people in the neighbourhood after the city was cut off from power.

The day after the strike on the supermarket, the Russians bombed the office of the organisation’s local partner – the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.

“We understood that if we don’t leave now, then tomorrow we will die,” Maksym said.

By then, the ICRC in Mariupol had run out of humanitarian aid and resources.

Those who remained from the organisation – its Ukrainian employees — had made several unsuccessful attempts to evacuate but on March 15 they were able to finally leave the city.

Days later, a Russian strike would destroy the ICRC office in Mariupol.

A car of the International Committee of the Red Cross destroyed by a strike on Mariupol. Picture: Supplied

Uncertain future

Determined to get far from the war and give their children a better life, the family came to Australia in July of 2022.

Since moving to Adelaide, Iryna has found a job working for the Australian Red Cross and their children have successfully settled into school.

“Ukrainians aren’t sitting on the necks of Australians,” she said.

“We’re looking for work, we’re volunteering, we’re helping in any way we can.”

Maksym is currently searching for work and fears that his visa status could be a deterrent to finding a job.

He is on a bridging visa but Iryna, their children and her mum are on humanitarian visas which expire next August.

With the expiration date rapidly approaching, the family is anxious about their future.

“Looking at returning to Ukraine, when you’ve already started your life over twice, we simply don’t have the strength,” Iryna said.

The Department of Home Affairs did not respond to questions from The Advertiser about the family’s visas.