Ukrainian vet saved humans and animals before finding refuge in Australia
Maria Mykytiuk, a Ukrainian wildlife veterinarian, fled the war in Ukraine and found refuge in Australia with her children in 2022. Before leaving, she provided medical aid to civilians and animals during the Russian occupation of Bucha, where she endured violence and trauma. Now in Sydney, she and her daughter support Ukraine through fundraising, advocacy, and educational initiatives.
- ▪Maria Mykytiuk is a wildlife veterinarian who cared for animals and civilians during the Russian occupation of Bucha.
- ▪She was beaten and raped by a Russian soldier and witnessed the murder of friends during the occupation.
- ▪Maria's children evacuated to Australia first, while she stayed behind temporarily to help the sick before reuniting with them.
- ▪She now participates in rallies and organizes letter and book exchanges between Australian and Ukrainian schools.
- ▪Anton Bogdanovych and Olga Voronina organize regular pro-Ukraine rallies in Sydney, which Maria frequently attends.
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How the kindness of strangers helped this Ukrainian family after fleeing warBy Anna KlauznerCompassTopic:War5h ago5 hours agoSat 2 May 2026 at 7:19pmMaria Mykytiuk and her children, Kyrylo and Anastasia, arrived in Australia in 2022. (Compass: Anna Klauzner)abc.net.au/news/kindness-of-strangers-helped-ukrainian-family/106625858Link copiedShareShare articleMaria Mykytiuk is one of many Ukrainians in Australia caught between two worlds. Although now safe in Sydney, she's in daily contact with family in war-ravaged Bucha, not far from the capital, Kyiv. War affects every aspect of life there.Warning: This story has references to violence and rape."After a night of shooting, with little sleep, the kids still went to school. They had to read under torchlight. But they are so resilient.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Top Stories.