SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — This week, Ukraine marked its 1,000 day of war.
ABC 10News reporter Madison Weil has covered the conflict since the start and its many heartbreaking ties here in San Diego.
On Tuesday, she caught up with Kira and Nikita, two young Ukrainian siblings separated from their parents for two and a half years.
10News first covered their story in August of 2022, when they began a new life and school year in Escondido.
“I miss home and family,” said Kira.
Their parents are active duty military members in Ukraine. Between the time change, power outages, and security concerns, Kira and Nikita only occasionally see each other on FaceTime.
“The fact that we can talk to them, but they’re just not next to us, is the saddest part,” said Nikita.
The young children came here to live with extended family where they would at least be safe from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unpredictable attacks.
They hardly knew any English at the time, but two and a half years later, both children were fluent. Kira is in elementary school, and Nikita is now in middle school.