Local Ukrainian woman’s mom still in war torn country

Iryna Maistrenko was born in Ukraine but moved to Yuma over 10 years ago, however, she still has friends and family in Ukraine - 13 On Your Side's Luis Lopez reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A Ukrainian woman who has called Yuma home for ten years, still has friends and family in the war torn country.

Iryna Maistrenko moved to Yuma with her husband back in 2014.

She says she loves Ukraine but moved here for her husband.
Now, with over a month of war in her home country, Maistrenko says her priority is making sure her loved ones, like her mom Tatyana, are still ok.

“Every day she’s writing me messages ‘I’m still alive,'” Maistrenko says.

Maistrenko’s mom is 62-years old.

She is currently in the city of Zaporizhia, located in the southeast region of the country, just two hours away from the power plant Russian forces attacked just over a month ago.

Tatyana has remained in the country helping others who are trying to get out.

Back in Yuma, her daughter wakes up waiting to hear if she’s ok.

“We have a missile attack, but I’m still alive’ night went quiet, this and that, but every morning I wait for her message,” Maistrenko said.

Her mom has also been telling her the condition of many of the people she’s seen.

With dire situations in many cases.

“It’s animals, it’s children, handicapped, old, blind, they come in hungry, smell like mold, like a fire, black clothes, dirty,” Maistrenko said.

Despite the extreme danger, Maistrenko says her mom has no desire to leave.

Adding much of the older generation would rather stay and help others who need it.