Ukrainian refugee Lena reflects on her first month in Ireland after fleeing Putin's troops

The constant threat of Russian attacks forced Ukrainian Lena Melentova to start a life in a new country.

Lena had been located near Lviv, in Western Ukraine, and was living in a state of constant alert as the threat of Russian attacks loomed.

"I couldn't stay there, I was panicking too much." Lena told Independent.ie.

"I was packing my bags before going to sleep in case I had to run somewhere."

The Ukrainian has been living with a host family in Dublin for the last month and hopes to build a new career in Ireland.

"I hope to find work, and hope it will distract myself from the sad news back home."

Lena was previously employed as an English teacher to Russian children, but was unable to continue working after her company broke ties with the Russians.

Lena has been studying programming language SQL, and is hoping to use the education as another avenue to employment in Ireland.