ST. PETERS, Mo. — Russia launched almost 20 cruise missiles at Ukraine for the first time in 79 days on Dec. 8.
This attack is just the latest destruction as families try to grapple with the ongoing war.
Since February 2022, many Ukrainians have been attempting to flee and even get sponsored to live in the U.S. The Prokhodov family who used to call Kyiv home have finally made it through the extensive process of getting sponsored by their aunt and a local church to move to St. Peters.
They landed at Lambert Airport in St. Louis on Sunday after days of travel from Ukraine. A place that for months has put them at the center of Russian airstrikes.
"Once we found out the situation, we really wanted to help," Kathy Bell, a member of the committee from John Calvin Presbyterian Church who is sponsoring the Prokhodov, said. "A couple of the ladies were on a call with the family one night with the aunt and the family when they had to go to the basement because of the air raids."
This family of five with three children moved into their new townhouse in St. Peters on Sunday
"They are mentally and physically exhausted from all of the rockets, missiles and bombings," Zoryana Mills said, the aunt of the Prokhodov mother. "They finally agreed to leave Ukraine and try to come here and see how it goes basically. Starting a new life in a new country is difficult. It's very difficult."
The family took a 10-hour bus ride from Kyiv to Warsaw, Poland which was delayed. Then, went from Warsaw to Frankfurt, Germany. Finally taking a flight from Frankfort to St. Louis at Lambert Airport on Sunday to arrive at their new townhome in Saint Peters.
"It's amazing," Oleh Prokhodov, the father, said.
"He feels like it's a dream," Mills said translating for him.
John Calvin Presbyterian Church paid for the family's airfare to reach St. Louis and will continue to pay their rent and utilities for 10 to 12 months.
Their total fundraising goal is $24,000 which they are about halfway to reaching.
"I never thought that this would ever be something I would be doing," Mission and Outreach Committee Chair for John Calvin Presbyterian Church, Amy Brixey, said. "But when someone asks for help and they're in a scary, dangerous situation and there are kids involved, it's hard to turn away."
Victoria is Mills's niece who is the official sponsor. Mills calls Vandalia, Illinois home now after moving to the U.S. from West Ukraine 17 years ago. She is still hoping to bring more of her family here, like her parents, after everything they've been through since the war started.
Mills translated for Oleh to share that, his family is "hoping to not spend time in the basement anymore at least. Unless they want to," Mills said with a laugh.
If you're interested in donating to this Ukrainian family, you can find out how to send household items, clothes, money for rent, or potentially even a new car for the five of them by visiting the John Calvin Presbyterian Church Mission website here.