Ukrainian Family's Daring Escape and How They Found Refuge with a Family in Utah
Yurii Kalmazan, Albina Smykovska, and their daughters.Photo: Niki Chan Wylie Fearful for their lives, the family escaped Ukraine on March 2, leaving behind their livelihood, their animals, and friends and family. They made stops in 8 countries in 9 days before finding this new home south of Salt Lake City with a large family of strangers that welcomed them as their own. “If it was not for the people who have showed us so much kindness, we would be stuck in the sadness of what’s happening in Ukraine,” Yurii, 45, tells PEOPLE through an interpreter in this week’s issue....