GILMAN — While the world’s focus has shifted to a new conflict in the Middle East over the last month, there is still a war raging between Russia and Ukraine and individuals and families whose lives have been forever changed by the carnage.

Sergii and Tanya Fedko resided near the western Ukrainian city of Lviv and, after watching rockets and drones fly over their home, began to explore their relocation options over a year ago. There was a hitch, however: because they only had two children at the time, they could not leave the country, and Sergii had to stay prepared for potential military conscription. That changed when Tanya, a teacher, welcomed their third son, Damien, last November, and Sergii was no longer required to serve.

“We understand that we must go from the first day when the war had come, but he can’t go from Ukraine because we have two children only,” Tanya said, speaking in English without a translator. “Then, (Damien) was born, and we understand that we can go (to) another country.”

Bill Hobson of rural Marshalltown had been using a website that helps to resettle Ukrainians and connected with Sergii initially, but the apartment he had available was only big enough for one person. After a conversation with members of the Marshalltown United for Ukraine group, they all decided they had to find a way to get everyone to Iowa.

“He was gonna bring the family later, and we talked in the group and they said ‘No, you can’t do that to this poor woman,’ and with three boys coming through the airport by herself,” Hobson said. “So we got the group to say, ‘Hey, bring them all.’ I think we started talking in June, and then they got here Oct. 19.”

As it turned out, a full circle opportunity presented itself: the Myroshnikov family, the first Ukrainians to settle in Marshall County after the war at the home on the Swift Greenhouse property between Laurel, Ferguson and Gilman, had since moved on to Houston, Texas, after deciding Midwest winters weren’t for them. Thus, the house was open again, and it was a perfect fit for a family of five who had enjoyed living on an acreage halfway across the world.

“I love this place,” Sergii said. “We’re very happy.”

Tanya was quick to echo her husband’s sentiments and was complimentary of Marshalltown, where her two older sons, Sacha and Nazar, are now attending Franklin Elementary School.

“It’s a very beautiful city. There are very good people. Everybody smiles at you and wants to help you,” she said.

For Sergii, an engineer at a nuclear power plant by trade who also has a strong interest in architecture, the deciding factor was trying to care for his infant son in a place where there was no heat though, as he clarified, they did still have electricity. He bought a generator, but the high price of gas to refuel it made that an expensive proposition.

They’ve had the opportunity to connect with the two of the three remaining Ukrainian families living around Marshalltown — the Stenkins and the Sychovas — and share their stories of displacement and life in both the old and new country. While the Fedko kids are currently attending Franklin, they’re hoping for a transfer to Hoglan next year as the children from those families are there now.

Sergii isn’t sure what his future will look like now that he’s resettled, but he’s eager to work again once he obtains the proper permits. And at this point, he wants to plant his roots in America and in Iowa, citing the quiet and safety of the countryside.

“I Iike the U.S. It’s a very beautiful country (with) very beautiful people. I like this,” he said. “I think Iowa is a very nice place for our family… The people are wonderful. Thank you to all of you.”

Tanya plans to take some more time raising Damien, who will celebrate his first birthday at the end of the month, but she would love to become a teacher’s aide if the right opportunity came along locally.

Hobson and Jean Bower, an active member of the Marshalltown United for Ukraine group, were present for the interview with the Fedkos on Thursday and reflected on what helping families like theirs has meant to them.

“It’s been a great experience, and they’re such a nice family,” Hobson said, before pointing to baby Damien. “(But) it’s too bad to take that national treasure away from Ukraine.”

Bower added that after meeting both the parents and the boys, the situation immediately felt “right” and “good.”

“Congratulations are in order for all community members who have contributed to the local organization Marshalltown United for Ukraine! Because of your generosity, we have been able to accomplish amazing things in the span of slightly more than a year. We’ve been able to offer safety from the ravages of war for four Ukrainian families, seeing to their total living support until they are now able, through their own self-reliance and hard work, to assume responsibility for almost all of their living expenses,” Bower said. “And this week we are pleased to announce that we are welcoming our fifth family, Sergii and Tanya Fedko and their three young sons. We have now been able to change the life situation of 12 adults and 15 children for the better. Congratulations Marshalltown!”

While they’re happy with the new surroundings, the family members who are still back home — including Sergii’s parents and brother, who only has two children — are never far from their minds. They also feel sympathy for Israelis in light of the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7.

“We understand the Israeli people. It’s very hard when one day, you don’t do anything bad, and war comes. Some night, we sleep and my mother told me that ‘Tanya, war has come.’ Oh no, I don’t believe you and then we go to sleep again, and (it happens),” Tanya said. “We must buy products for us because we don’t know ‘Can we eat tomorrow or not?’ We must think about diapers or wipes for kids, for eating food, and it’s very hard. And we understand other people who have the same problem.”

For more information about Marshalltown United for Ukraine, and additional ways to help, see their Facebook page www.facebook.com/MarshalltownUnited or contact Kathy Duncan via email at kathyduncan1958@gmail.com. Interested parties can also visit https://forms.gle/NWBMnArs3v9bghxZ9 and identify in which areas in which they can help.

Financial donations to Marshalltown United for Ukraine can be made to the “Community Foundation — United for Ukraine” and mailed to the Community Foundation, att: Julie Hitchens, 709 S. Center St., Suite 131, Marshalltown, IA 50158 or online at www.desmoines.org/marshalltownunitedforukrainefund. All money collected goes directly to caring for these families’ needs until they become self-sufficient.

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.