Three weeks ago when tensions between Russia and Ukraine were merely simmering, Oleksandr and Jessica Skakalskiy knew they had to act fast.
The couple has two children. Ellie is 8 years old and Gabriel is 4. They’re also expecting their third child in less than a month.
"We don't talk about the serious stuff in front of them because I can already see the damage it's done to them," said Jessica."How much it makes them stress out and worry." The family has been staying with Jessica's parents in Valley Center. Jessica was born and raised in San Diego. It was during a missionary trip to Ukraine in 2011 that she met Oleksandr. They fell in love, married and started a family in Ukraine.
"We thought we’d come back to the states when my parents were in their 80s and they need physical help because they are too old," said Jessica."But the time came a lot sooner than we thought." While they are relieved to have fled the country just in time, they worry about the family members left behind.
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