A WOMAN who arrived in Monmouthshire after fleeing her Ukrainian homeland at 97 has celebrated her 100th birthday at County Hall in Usk.

Lidiia Rebrova was born in Vovchansk in 1926, before moving to Karkhiv, and her life has been shaped by some of the most significant events of the last century.

As a young child during the terrible Holodomor famine of 1932-1933, Lidiia and her family lived together in a single room in an unfinished barracks, which measured just 10 square metres.

During WWII, Lidiia worked at a match factory in Kharkiv and she and other teenagers were sometimes forced to dig trenches for German soldiers.

After the war, Lidiia met her future husband, Viktor, and they married in 1950, going on to two daughters and sharing their lives together until Viktor died aged 64.

But aged 97, after Russia attacked Ukraine, Lidiia was forced to flee her home, first travelling to the Czech Republic with her daughter before continuing to the UK, where for the past two years, she has made her home in Abergavenny.

Lidiia was joined at her birthday celebration by her two daughters, one of her grandchildren and guests including HM Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent, Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, Monmouthshire Council leader Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, and Cllr Angela Sandles, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement.

Cllr Sandles said: “It was a real privilege to join Lidiia and her family for such a joyful and special occasion.

“Lidiia’s life story is truly remarkable.She has lived through hunger, war, occupation and, at the age of 97, the trauma of being forced to leave home and begin again in another country. Throughout it all, she’s shown extraordinary courage and resilience.

“Lidiia is one of hundreds of Ukrainians warmly welcomed by communities across Monmouthshire following Russia’s invasion of their homeland,” Cllr Sandles continued.

“It was wonderful to see so many people gathered to celebrate with her. We wish Lidiia continued health, happiness and many more happy times.”