Ukraine refugees find a place to stay: man (60) from Icking takes in family

The war in Ukraine drove two women, their children and their mother to flee.

They found a place to stay with Boris Levin.

The Ickinger reports.

Icking – When the first Russian bombs fell on their homeland, two young women quickly made the decision: they took themselves, their mother and their two small children to safety.

The women arrived in Icking a few days ago.

Boris Levin took in the five Ukrainians, provided them with an apartment and looked after the war refugees.

Levin himself has Ukrainian roots.

War in Ukraine: Refugee family finds an apartment in Icking

When the call for help reached him from his homeland, he was immediately certain that he would help: the family was looking for a place to stay that was quick, uncomplicated and safe.

He made the apartment, in which Levin's daughter has been living for some time, available to the five fugitives.

In the meantime, the daughter has moved back in with her parents. "It was easy for us," says Levin modestly.

The refugees reached their refuge on Sunday, exhausted from the hardships, battered by the bloodshed in their homeland - but above all grateful to be safe now.

Family accepted from the Ukraine - Ickinger takes care of war refugees

Levin collected donations to provide for them and especially the two children – a four-year-old boy and a two-month-old baby.

The toddler sleeps in a cot that has been left to the family.

The women were given clothes because they only took as much as they could quickly pack and carry during the hectic flight.

"Fortunately, there's a lot of willingness to help out here," says Levin.

Some people responded to his call on the online platform Facebook and offered donations in kind.

He himself has given the family some money so that they can support themselves for a while and he has bought basic necessities such as shampoo and soap for the women.

Ukraine refugees in Germany: Family has to clarify a lot with the authorities - translators wanted

A roof over your head and these everyday products are of course important for the newcomers.

But that alone is not the end of it: "It's not a vacation trip for the women," says Levin.

The help doesn't stop when the keys are handed over, as in a holiday apartment - rather, it only begins.

The refugees have to report to the authorities, clarify their residence status and find their way around in their new environment.

For the three women who live in Levin's apartment, this is easier than it would be in other places.

Levin speaks Russian, understands Ukrainian and can translate official letters and answer everyday questions about life in Icking.

"You shouldn't underestimate that," says the 60-year-old.

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It is not enough to simply be helpful and offer the Ukrainians a free apartment or a room: "You are also the first point of contact for them." Levin is currently looking for Ukrainian-speaking supporters who could act as companions if more people arrive in the region and need help in everyday life.

Safe from the war at home: "It may be that their cities will be leveled to the ground"

Levin cannot estimate how long it will take for the families to find their way around Germany and Icking on their own.

“But you are already learning German and would like to work”, lead your life in Germany as independently as possible at the moment.

And only for as long as it is necessary: ​​"You have already told me that you would like to return to your home country", but only when peace reigns there again.

At the moment they do not know when and how this will be possible.

"It's possible that their cities will be razed to the ground." The women took the fear for their friends, their husbands and their homeland with them to Germany.

Your men stayed in Ukraine to fight.

“The women are very worried, even if they are fine here.

You see what is happening in Ukraine on TV,

Ickinger has Ukrainian roots - and offers shelter to a refugee family

Levin is also following these reports very closely.

He lived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv until 1978, then his family moved to the USA and he later to Icking.

The city of millions that he got to know when he was young "is being ruined a little more every day," he says thoughtfully.

It is clear to the 60-year-old that he will help as long as it is necessary.

"Until further notice" the women can stay in the apartment.

"But you want to build something of your own," they told him.

And eventually return when no more bombs are falling on their homeland.