Welcomed to Utah, 2 Ukrainian families cling to hope for home this Christmas

Christmas is different this year for two Ukrainian families living in Utah.

On a typical holiday, Liudmyla Ivakhina would gather with her family to share a nice meal by the sea in the coastal city of Berdyansk, Ukraine. While the Ivakhins will still celebrate with family, it’ll be in a landlocked state, far from the water.

In April, Liudmyla, her husband and two teenage sons left the ocean behind and moved to Utah.

“We were able to bring a few things, some sand from the sea and shells,” Liudmyla said with a remorseful smile as she remembered her home.