The man we chose to call Vanko was temporarily in Poland to work when Russia invaded Ukraine.
At home in Ukraine, in the Donetsk region, his wife, two boys and a daughter were from a previous relationship.
Two days later, the wife and boys had managed to cross the border into Poland and together the family could then go to Sweden where they have acquaintances.
"Wanted to stay"
- I felt divided.
On the one hand, I wanted to return and defend my country and my family, on the other hand, I wanted to stay and help my family establish itself here.
Vanko also knows that if he goes back to Ukraine, he can not leave the country again because the current martial law stipulates that all men between the ages of 18 and 60 must remain in the country.
- But I do not consider myself a rat and a traitor.
People can say and think what they want about me, they have the right to do so but I ignore what they think.
The only thing I care about is what my family thinks.
That's the most important thing in my life.
Hoping for a residence permit
However, Vanko's daughter was too scared to try to get out of the country at the beginning of the invasion, but later managed to cross the border into Poland.
Now Vanko hopes that the whole family will get a residence permit in Sweden.
- I believe that everyone has the right to choose if they want to fight.
Anyone who wants to leave the country with his family is in his full right.
All my male acquaintances are still there.
They are stuck in a pair of fox scissors.
Absolutely none of them want to take part in the war.
They have sent their families to Poland and Germany.