Ukraine siblings reunited at Sydney International Airport

Two siblings have made an emotional reunion at Sydney’s International Airport after being separated in Ukraine.

Ukrainian siblings Kyrylo, 9, and Anastasiia, 12, are together again following an emotional reunion at Sydney’s International Airport this morning.

The pair was dramatically separated at the Warsaw Chopin Airport following an Emirates airlines vaccination miscommunication last Wednesday.

The decision resulted in Kyrylo being put on a flight to Sydney and Anastasiia sent to a Polish Refugee Camp.

But today, almost a week after being pulled away from his sister’s embrace, an impatiently excited Kyrylo sprinted towards a tired but relieved Anastasia as she exited the arrivals hall.

Anastasiia reunites with her nine-year-old brother Kyrylo. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The siblings together again at Sydney International Airport. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Despite not being able to speak English very well, it was clear from their excitement that the siblings were very glad to see each other.

“When Kyrylo arrived in Australia he was frustrated and distant but now with Anastasiia here, he’s back to normal,” their Sydney guardian Dmytro Bablinyuk told The Daily Telegraph.

The Sunday Telegraph broke the Ukrainian siblings’ story on Sunday after Sydney family friend Mr Bablinyuk made a desperate plea to bring Anastasiia to the country.

Almost instantly, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched an investigation after an Emirates staffer overlooked a letter issued by the department stating that Anastasiia was exempt from Australia’s travel restriction policy.

Not even her negative PCR tests were enough to overturn the airline’s decision to separate the unaccompanied minors.

While the Morrison Government maintains it is “keen” to provide fleeing Ukrainians with humanitarian assistance, Minister Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke admits there have been problems at times with different airlines and posts.

“The Commonwealth stepped in overnight (to help Anastasiia) … So that was an airline issue, not a policy or Commonwealth issue,” Mr Hawke said.

“In fact we were able to work directly with the airline to make sure that child will be flying to Australia.”

Kyrylo Prokopchuk, 9, pictured with his carers Olga Bablinyuk and Dmytro Bablinyuk — and their kids Egor Grydasov, 12, and Keira Bablinyuk, 6. Picture: Damian Shaw

Kyrylo and Anastasiia enjoying a family meal together before the Russian invasion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said it's important to note that Russia’s invasion on Ukraine is different to any crisis DFAT has dealt with before, consequently testing the department’s skills in what he describes as some very “unconventional” scenarios.

“As you can see from this case, (DFAT) will work on the issue, work with everybody, work with the Ukrainian association here in Australia, to give people that confidence and assurance,” Mr Morrison said.

The brother and sister are currently in Australia on visas that permit them to remain in the country for three months, but it’s likely that they’ll need to stay longer.

Their guardian Mr Bablinyuk hopes that they will be eligible for a humanitarian visa which will enable the children to study at school and access medical benefits.

“The next step we need to sort out is Medicare and schooling because right now it’s not available to them so we’ll submit a declaration to NSW education,” Mr Bablinyuk said.

Kyrylo and Anastasiia making shell art at the beach before the Russian invasion.

The Sydneysider is thankful to the Australian Government and Ukrainian community for helping him and Kyrylo bring Anastasiia to her new home.

“I appreciate the work of the government because they turned around the situation in less than 24 hours … before that we lost all hope.”

“Australian border force, home affairs – I cannot name all of them but thank you for helping … Without them this would all be impossible.”

Mr Bablinyuk also hopes that Emirates Airlines changes their policies and trains their staff to avoid a similar situation occurring with more Ukrainian children in the future.

“They’re just kids, they’re unaccompanied minors and these are extreme circumstances – it’s just common sense,” Mr Bablinyuk said.

Emirates Airlines are yet to provide a comment.

Originally published as Ukraine siblings reunited at Sydney International Airport