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Yorkton man returns home after evacuating from Ukraine

Was studying theology in Kharkiv to become an Orthodox priest
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YORKTON – A Yorkton man is happy to be back home after escaping Ukraine.  

Around 50 people gathered at a local restaurant on Monday night to welcome 20-year-old Nikita Sereda back to the city.

Sereda had been studying theology to become a Ukrainian Orthodox priest in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv and attended class up until Feb. 24 when the Russian invasion of Ukraine commenced.

Sereda said he awoke in the early morning hours to the sounds of explosions.

"I woke up to it at 5 a.m," said Sereda, adding, "I didn't think of what was happening outside — as soon as I turned on the news I learned that explosions were being heard in my area."

Sereda said his fight or flight instincts soon kicked in.

"It was kind of scary — what to do, where to go in that situation."

Sereda said he left his apartment and went to his aunt's home outside the city where he stayed for two to three weeks before making the trip to Poland.  

"Last Thursday (March 17) I made the trip to Poland on the evacuation train," said Sereda, adding, "It was 13 hours from Kharkiv to Lviv and then I waited in line for six hours to board the train to the Polish border."  

Sereda said the train was at full capacity with many children and mothers. The evacuees took turns sitting and standing.  

"Overall it was a 25-hour journey from one end of the country to Poland," said Sereda.

Sereda's parents both come from Eastern Europe; his mother from Belarus and his father from Ukraine. He also has relatives who live in Ukraine, including two aunts and an uncle.

"They are safe," said Sereda of his relatives.

Sereda said he received help for his journey home from family members.

"My sister started a GoFundMe page for travel purchases — and to replace all the stuff I left behind in the apartment in Ukraine."

Sereda said he felt an overwhelming sense of support in the form of messages, texts and calls from people who were concerned for his safety, adding that he is happy to be home.

"It still feels like a dream."