A MOTHER and child, who fled the war in Ukraine, are becoming very well-known faces across Merseyside due to the daughter's special talent.

Svitlana Bushuieva, 47, and her daughter Alisa, 13, along with their Pomeranian, Casper, lived in the city of Kharkiv in Ukraine before the Russian invasion.

Kharkiv is located in Eastern Ukraine and is only 23 kilometers from the Russian boarder.

When Ukraine was invaded by Russia, on February 24 2022, Svitlana and Alisa were left with no electricity or water in their home.

Speaking to the Globe, Svitlana said: "Living conditions were difficult for us as soon as the war started. Bombs exploded there every day, shells fell and large supersonic aircrafts flew."

Chester and District Standard: The scenes following the invasionThe scenes following the invasion (Image: Svitlana Bushuieva)

The mother and daughter quickly moved to Warsaw in Poland. They worked as volunteers in the largest refugee centre in the Polish capital, where there were more than 4,000 people.

Svitlana helped work in the warehouse and kitchen, while Alisa entertained the children and adults with her piano playing.

She said: "We were very tired of such tension and sleepless nights. In May we received a visa to go to the UK and in June we started our journey, which took us four days, ten trains and one ferry.

"As animals are not allowed to fly across the UK border, we had to travel by land. It was very difficult, but the children, Alice and Casper, made it through the train stations and refugee reception centers."

Once they made it to Wales, the family lived in a hotel for just over a month until they found a sponsor, Jeff Scolfield in Neston, who Svitlana says "became our family."

Chester and District Standard: During the family's four day journey to the UKDuring the family's four day journey to the UK (Image: Svitlana Bushuieva,)

Alisa, who has played piano for eight years, played at Liverpool One to mark one year since Ukraine was invaded and also played in front of hundreds of people at the Eurovision Stakeholder event on Wednesday (March 1).

Chester and District Standard: Alisa performing at Liverpool OneAlisa performing at Liverpool One (Image: PA)

Alisa flew back to Poland yesterday (March 3) to complete her music diploma, which she had to pause due to the invasion.

Her music teacher has now set up a music school in Warsaw, where Alisa can stay in private accommodation.

Svitlana added: "Her musical school has moved to Warsaw and she wants to get her diploma. She has studied for eight years before."

Alisa will return to the UK in May to celebrate the Eurovision in Liverpool.

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