Vladymyr and Valentyna Naumenkova: Ukrainians feel safe in Warrnambool

Far from the basement they hid from explosions in, a Ukrainian husband and wife have found peace in southwest Victoria. This is their story.

After living in their basement in fear of the war, a Ukrainian husband and wife say they finally feel peace and silence in southwest Victoria.

Vladymyr and Valentyna Naumenkova arrived in Warrnambool on March 30 after escaping their home town Nykolaiv in Ukraine on March 8.

It took 22 days for the couple to walk into the arms of their daughter and grandson, Olena and Mickael, in Melbourne.

And now they are looking forward to life getting back to normal.

“This is the first time I have felt silence, I used to hear explosions and helicopters, and shouting,” Vladymyr said, translated by his daughter Olena Naunmenkova.

“Slowly we are getting back to normal life, but it feels like we’re waiting for an explosion.”

Olena, Mikael, Vladymyr and Valentyna Naumenkova at their family home in Warrnambool after escaping war-torn Ukraine.

Vladymyr and one of his paintings to be auctioned off to raise funds for those affected by the Russia-Ukraine war in a Warrnambool fundraiser.

Vladymyr said the first three days of the war were terrible.

“We heard sounds somewhere far away, after that there was shootings very close – we were afraid of what artillery could shoot into our home,” he said.

“We slept in our basement.”

Last week the couple were told their dog, a German Shepherd named Mars, had died as a result of the war. He suffered a heart attack under their care and died after they left.

“There were very strong explosions in their suburb, their dog was so shocked he had a heart attack,” Olena said.

“They saved his life for a while. He stayed with my parents neighbours, we were called a couple days ago and were told his heart just stopped, he just passed away.”

Vladymyr said he doesn't want anyone to endure what they went through.

“We don’t want anyone to experience the explosions in the day and night-time and constant fear for your life and for loved ones,” he said.

While some of their family have escaped Ukraine, many friends and neighbours remain in trapped there.

Painting by Ukrainian Artist Vladymyr Naumenkova inspired by the Warrnambool, Australian landscape.

Alexei Khaidurov, Valentyna Naumenkova, Vladymyr Naumenkova, Oleksandr Lysov, Olena Naumenkova, Mikael, Vjacheslav Shepeljuk, Denis, Iryna Brazhnikova, Maxim, Lee Cchor, Kate Stotskaia and Kitia Vicious.

Every day Olena messages her friends in Ukraine, fearing they may not text back.

Now Vladymyr and Valentyna are living in Warrnambool with their daughter Olena and grandson Mikael.

“It is like a dream – the ocean, parks, fresh air, everything is so beautiful, the nature is absolutely amazing,” Vladymyr said.

“Regional Victoria reminds me of Ukraine because they also have farms and cows.”

Since arriving in Warrnambool, the family were shocked by the support from the community, with boxes of art supplies arriving on their doorstep for Vladymyr who is an artist.

“We want to say thank you – so many people have helped us. The community collected boxes of art equipment for my father and dropped off at our door,” Olena said.

“He feels very good when he is painting, he is relaxed and in harmony with himself, inside his own world. From morning until the evening everyday he is working on many paintings — he wants to put his emotions on the canvas.”

Vladymyr will be auctioning off oil artworks inspired by Australian landscapes, still-life and nature in a Helping Hand from Warrnambool to Ukraine fundraiser on April 30.

Helping hand from Warrnambool to Ukraine have hosted a number of events to fundraise vital funds for those impacted in the war, including the ‘Hang a Sock on it’ event on Easter Saturday April 16.

The sock fundraiser collected more than 300 pairs of socks for displaced Ukraine people like Vladymyr and Valentyna who arrived in Australia for safety.

Sofia Osmonov, Ruslan Osmonov and Sasha Kraverts holding donated socks.

Socks hanging at Warrnambool Civic Green on a washing line to be donated for the Helping Hand from Warrnambool to Ukraine fundraiser.

Warrnambool Helping Hand organiser Oksana Walters said socks were something everyone needed coming into the colder months.

“It gives pleasure to people to go and choose something that they know a person who has just escaped the war will be able to wear everyday,” she said.

“And it is just a reminder that there is a war, and some people are arriving in Australia with absolutely nothing. They may just have a backpack with them, and it is getting cold, and they will need help.”

Seven displaced Ukrainian people (two families) are now living in Warrnambool after escaping the war.

Ms Walters says three more families are awaiting passports to cross the border.