Local woman’s rally call to her fellow Ukrainians

Local woman’s rally call to her fellow Ukrainians

2 March 2022

A UKRAINIAN woman living near Castlewellan has defiantly told Russia as it invades her country — “you will not suppress us; we will never surrender.”

Luda McMullan, whose 79 year-old father, older sister and niece are living in the west of Ukraine, currently safe from where the main battles are taking place in the east, has barely slept since Russian tanks crossed the border last Thursday.

Mrs McMullan, who lives with her husband Cathal and sons Dylan and Ryan on the Clanvaraghan Road, is one of a number of Ukrainians living in Northern Ireland. 

She has been posting regular updates on social media since the invasion started.

“The reason I was posting on Facebook was from the absolute shock of the invasion. At the time, nobody was doing anything, no one was listening,” explained Mrs McMullan. 

“Ukrainians were left on their own. The British were the first to give weapons to these young men to protect themselves. Then the West woke up.

“I felt this war could mean the end of my nation. I wanted to record all of the atrocities so hopefully one day it will be dealt with. My grandchildren might grow up and want to know want happened and it’s important to me to tell it and do my small part.”

Mrs McMullan said that her relatives are in a more fortunate position than many Ukrainians.

“The battles are happening everywhere but my family are lucky, if you can call it lucky, to live in the west which so far has not been as badly affected. But the missile that was launched from Belarus hit near Rivne where I’m from and my family still lives there.”

She grew up in Rivne and left Ukraine in 1996 to study in Wales at the age of 36. She met her husband in Wales where they were both later studying law at university.

Mrs McMullan says she is “heartbroken” but is supported by her family who are comforting her during phone calls.

She said that her father and sister are actively helping in their local community, both to gather arms and provisions to transport it to the frontline to the Ukrainian army and to citizens in need.

“Even my 79 year-old father is doing his bit. The support and generosity of the community to help the rest of their countrymen and women,” she said. “I’m proud to be Ukrainian and always have been. The Ukraine I grew up in is totally different to what it is now. Ukraine sees itself as a modern European country.”

Mrs McMullan also hailed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “such a positive and inspirational person” and praised his leadership.

There was also praise for Ballynahinch Rugby Club – whom her sons play for – for organising a collection of essential items destined for Ukraine and the support she has received.

“Thanks to our brilliant and generous community in Northern Ireland for their donations, prayers and support to me and my family,” she said.

“People have been amazing, especially our local Clanvaraghan church, which held a beautiful mass for my family and the people in Ukraine. Father Owens brought me a beautiful Mass card with such a touching message, that when I translated it and sent it to my dad and my sister, they were both crying.”

“Now the content of the card is circulating around Ukraine and hopefully will give extra comfort and support to my Ukrainian people to stay strong.”