Ukranian family flees Mariupol to begin new life in Spokane

'We weren't rich, but we had everything': As a Ukrainian family adjusts to life in a Spokane hotel, a longing persists for the one left behind

Section:Gallery

Sun., Nov. 27, 2022

Mykhailo Kurilova and his wife, Anna, fill out documents for Temporary Protected Status on Aug. 2 while staying at the Thrive Center.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
With their youngest son, Habriel, 1, by their side, Mykhailo Kurilova comforts his wife, Anna, as she describes the harrowing experience of fleeing their home in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. They are now living at the Thrive Center, a formerly vacant hotel used to house Ukrainian refugees, shown July 11 in Spokane.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Ukrainian refugee Anna Kurilova says she uses her phone to stay informed about the war while living at the Thrive Center.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Mykhailo Kurilova loads his son Habriel, 1, into their borrowed van along with 6-year-old Yelysei and his wife, Anna, on July 11 outside the Thrive Center.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Ukrainian refugee Mykhailo Kurilova holds his youngest son, Habriel, 1, as his wife, Anna, takes advantage of the food bank at Spokane Community College on July 11.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Six-year-old Ukrainian refugee Yelysei Kurilova plays in the fountain in front of the Thomas S. Foley U.S. Courthouse on Aug. 2 in downtown Spokane.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Ukrainian refugees Mykhailo Kurilova and his wife, Anna, drive past an American flag Aug. 2 in Spokane. They fled Ukraine during the Russian invasion with their two children and are now living at the Thrive Center, a formerly vacant hotel that is now used to house Ukrainian refugees in Spokane.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Ukrainian refugees Mykhailo and Anna Kurilova, along with their children, Habriel, 1, and Yelysei, 6, wait for their appointment at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Aug. 2 in Spokane.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Anna Kurilova carries her sleeping son, Habriel, through the hallway to their room on Aug. 2 at the Thrive Center, a formerly vacant hotel that is now used to house Ukrainian refugees in Spokane.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Mykhailo Kurilova feeds his youngest son, Habriel, 1, while eating breakfast with his wife, Anna, on July 11 at the Thrive Center.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Ukrainian refugees Mykhailo and Anna Kurilova, along with their son, Habriel, 1, attend church Aug. 7 in Spokane Valley.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Habriel Kurilova, 1, looks out the widow at cars passing by July 19 on Interstate 90 at the Thrive Center.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review