Presenting an article by Viktor Chovka, a Roma from Uzhhorod, journalist, and public figure. Viktor has obtained two higher education degrees,
specializing as an economist (in “Finance and Credit”) and a psychologist at local universities. In addition, Viktor also studied at the
Central European University in Budapest through the “Roma English Language Program” under the Open Society Foundation program.
Our conversation will cover the impact of the war, the fates and conditions of Transcarpathian Roma families, migration, and the defense of Ukraine.
As is known, the Roma population in Transcarpathia is the largest among all Roma communities in our country. According to estimates by local Roma NGOs, before the war, there were 70-80 thousand Roma living in Transcarpathia, most of whom resided in compact settlements (so-called camps), numbering over 150 across the region. However, this statistic has changed dramatically since 2022. Today, it is challenging even to estimate the number of local and non-local Roma living in the region.
It should be noted that the ethnic composition of Transcarpathian Roma is not homogeneous; it consists of several groups: for example, Hungarian, Slovak, and Kalderash Roma (Romanian). Each group speaks its local dialect, and most Roma in the Mukachevo and Berehove districts speak Hungarian, with little to no knowledge of the Romani language.
Transcarpathia is not only on the “edge of war” but is also a corner where representatives of various national minorities have taken up arms to defend Ukraine. One such person is the well-known Uzhhorod resident Viktor Ilchak.
Viktor Ilchak, a volunteer and father of four, lives in Uzhhorod’s largest “Roma” neighborhood – Radvanets. In 2015, he volunteered to defend the country as part of the Armed Forces. After the start of the full-scale invasion by Russia, he continued to serve in combat missions in eastern Ukraine as a BMP-2 mechanic-driver. During combat, Viktor sustained multiple injuries, which fortunately were not critical, and he completed a course of rehabilitation and treatment.
People are often surprised to learn that Roma men fight alongside others in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. For many, this is unexpected. Many Roma from Transcarpathia are on the front lines today, with soldiers in many Roma families. For instance, in my family too: my cousin, Albert Chovka, is a border guard who served for a long time in one of the hottest “spots” near Bakhmut.
Sadly, the harsh realities of war mean that we are now frequently receiving sorrowful news from the front… We bid farewell to our heroes daily… Such Roma soldiers as Dmytro Kaflanovych from Mukachevo, Stepan Rakoshi from Berehovo, Andriy Salka from Uzhhorod, Oleksiy Tyrpak from Turya Paseka in the Uzhhorod district, and Yuriy Varody from Uzhhorod have given their lives for their country. These are just those I knew.
It is crucial that our state remembers and honors these Roma heroes and that Roma soldiers receive thanks and awards equally with others. Through this recognition in wartime, we can begin to change negative stereotypes about Roma. Roma soldiers know well that before the war, their communities faced various forms of discrimination, and Roma in Ukraine often experienced pogroms and attacks from ultra-right groups. They are also aware that their families and communities continue to face prejudice, even now as refugees or internally displaced persons. Nevertheless, they demonstrate a high level of heroism and moral resilience. One Roma leader put it this way: “It’s one thing to fight for your country when you know you are treated as an equal, and quite another when you know you are not.”
As a journalist speaking with Roma refugees, I often hear complaints about ethnic discrimination and violations of the rights of Roma IDPs, such as the right to housing, social services, or humanitarian aid. These forms of discrimination occur both in Ukraine and across Europe. One such case of ethnic discrimination that I know of occurred at the start of the war in 2022 in the Czech Republic, where there was a segregated division of refugees into Roma and non-Roma during housing allocation. Only Roma families with young children were placed in a local prison, and there is even photographic evidence of this.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Roma activists and ordinary Roma in Transcarpathia have actively joined the volunteer movement. They sheltered refugees in their homes, fed and warmed them, and distributed humanitarian aid. It is worth noting that the aid was provided regardless of a person’s nationality. For months, ordinary Ukrainians from Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Zaporizhzhia lived for free in Roma homes in Uzhhorod. Everyone continues to do their part in this work. Other Roma leaders have already spoken about this, but I will never tire of saying it.
Even before the war, the situation for Roma communities in Transcarpathia was challenging. The war has only deepened the vast array of problems they face. Almost every sphere of public life that touches Roma families raises some form of “invisible” barrier, leading to difficulties in finding work, registering various documents, and gaining equal access to quality education, healthcare, and social services. Roma often encounter unfavorable attitudes from law enforcement. Individual issues within Roma families multiply into broader challenges in their compact settlements, where paved roads, water pipelines, and sewage systems are mostly lacking, and people heat their homes with wood or waste. Documentation for land and housing ownership is also practically non-existent among residents. I see no end in sight for these issues.
As expected, the problems in Transcarpathian Roma communities have only grown with the onset of the war. Many Roma in their compact settlements are literally starving: according to adults, they may eat only once a day, saving better food for their children. Before the war, they could leave for seasonal work, for instance, scrap metal collection in other regions of Ukraine or work abroad, but now they can no longer do this. And good jobs in Ukraine were scarce for Roma even before the war, let alone under current conditions.
The situation of Roma is now worse than I have ever seen in my memory. I understand that the true resolution of Roma issues will likely come only after the war. Until then, most Roma families, especially in rural areas, are barely surviving. One key avenue of support for Roma communities in crisis comes from European countries and international humanitarian organizations—some provide financial assistance, some deliver food aid, and many religious organizations also help.
Take, for example, Zhanna’s family from Uzhhorod, living in the Radvanets neighborhood. “Before the war, I somehow survived on the money I earned from the local dump, but now it’s impossible,” Zhanna told me. Everything has come to a standstill, even such work; metal prices have dropped. She has nine children, and her husband has passed away. Most of her children have health issues, but eleven-year-old Kolya suffers the most. He has diabetes, has fallen into a coma multiple times due to his illness, poor diet, and lack of money for medication. The living conditions also impact his health.
“I am grateful for the humanitarian aid provided by the German EVZ Foundation for nearly two years now. These are very hard times. I am especially thankful for the medicine for my sick son Kolya,” says Zhanna.
The start of military actions has significantly influenced migration processes in Ukraine, causing the largest migration crisis in Europe since World War II. Roma communities have also found themselves at the center of migration flows.
I can refer to statistical data from the International Charitable Organization “Roma Women’s Fund Chirikli,” which indicates that approximately 50,000 Roma have become internally displaced within the country, while another 100,000 have left Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. For almost three years now, people have continuously left their hometowns in search of refuge in other regions of Ukraine or in European countries.
Since Transcarpathia shares borders with several European countries, local Roma with passports were among the first to leave Ukraine, fearing the war. From my observations, Transcarpathian Roma emigrated to European countries such as Germany (most live in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony), as well as Ireland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
In conversations with Uzhhorod Roma currently living in the north and center of England, in cities like Manchester, Leeds, Rotherham, and Doncaster, they speak of the warm welcome they received from the English. For instance, Erika says, “As always, I expected some prejudice because I am visibly Roma, but no one paid any attention to it. I quickly rented an apartment and easily found work. I worked at the clothing warehouse of ‘Sports Direct,’ earning 11.50 pounds per hour, which was great. The only downside is the healthcare system. My daughter gave birth in England, so I can tell you for sure about that.”
“Before coming to the UK, I lived in Germany for nearly a year, in Stuttgart. In Germany, we received social assistance as Ukrainian refugees, including social housing. I am grateful to the Germans for everything, but comparing these two countries, I can say that I prefer England for its human atmosphere. Yes, the weather here is, to put it mildly, not great, but the people are kind, and I’ve never encountered anything like this. Such multiculturalism. I am currently studying business and management at a university; I never thought I would have the opportunity to pursue higher education in England, and for free,” says Edgar Badzho.
Over five hundred Roma from Uzhhorod currently live in South Yorkshire, England. All are employed, children attend schools, and youth study at colleges and universities. They are actively integrating and have even established their own religious community. I was surprised by how quickly our Transcarpathian Roma adapted to life in England.
But despite everything, I heard only one thing from everyone: “I miss my homeland, Ukraine, Transcarpathia.”
Author: Viktor Chovka
