Thousands of miles away from her loved ones Inna Kostromina, a Russian national who resides in Fiji is in a state of anxiety.

She is saddened about the situation between Russia and Ukraine.

The 38-year-old, who has been living in Suva for the past seven years with her Fijian partner said the armed conflict between the two nations saddens her and a prayer for peace is all she was holding onto.

“I have friends in Ukraine, they are terrified and worried,” Ms Kostromina said.

“I feel their fear because I witnessed the same fear in my Ukrainian relatives who fled from Ukraine to Russia as refugees during an armed conflict in 2014.

“Being far from my country, I can only pray for peace, pray for the Ukrainians and Russians who are in danger right now.

“I pray the two countries can find a peaceful solution to their complicated political relationship.

“The news about the war between Russia and Ukraine hurts me deeply, I have not eaten well since then.

“I keep reading and watching international news every hour.”

Ms Kostromina described how her family, who lives near to the Ukraine border, felt during the initial attacks.

“My mother lives only 12 kilometres away from the Ukraine border. I have spoken to her on the phone,” Ms Kostromina said.

“She said it all started on February 19. On that day, her house began to tremble and strange sounds like thunder came from the direction of Ukraine.

“According to my Russian journalist friend, on the same day about 36,000 refugees fled from Ukraine to Russia.

“Later in the news, I read that the President of Russia announced the start of military operations in Ukraine.”