CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Ukrainian family, who moved to Charlotte before war broke out in their home country, is thankful to be out of harm's way, but worried for so many still there. 

The war in Ukraine continues with intense fighting happening in Severodentsk in the northeast, and evacuation efforts are limited after bridges were destroyed. 

What You Need To Know 

War continues to rage in the Ukraine since the Russian invasion earlier this year

The Ruzhynsky family left Ukraine last July and relocated to the U.S. for work

The family was supposed to return for visits, but due to the war they are not returning  

In the Southeast, the bodies of another 64 Ukrainian soldiers who died defending a Mariupol steel plant have been sent to government-controlled territory. And President Zelensky is calling for more weapons as he says the battle in the Donbas "will go down in military history as one of the most brutal battles in Europe."

Meanwhile, A Ukrainian family is making the U.S. their home more permanently than they thought. The Ruzhynskys moved to Charlotte from the northeast city of Kharkiv last summer for work just months before the war would begin.

They thought they might eventually move back, but now even a visit is out of the question, making them worry about family still there.

Theo Ruzhynsky's technology job allowed the family to come to the U.S. last July. They packed up their lives in just three suitcases.

"We decided to start our life from scratch," said Theo's wife, Daria Ruzhynska. They left behind most of their belongings, memories and even Daria's mother. 

It's been especially hard for the Ruzhynskys because just months after their arrival to the U.S., Russia went to war with Ukraine, hitting their home city.

"Some information makes the blood run cold, and it's really terrible," Daria Ruzhynska said.

"This madness cannot happen because this is not beneficial for anybody, neither in Russia, nor in Ukraine, nor any place in the world," Theo Ruzhynsky said.

But as the war continues, the family is coming up on their one-year anniversary in the United States, postponing the trip they had planned back to Ukraine and realizing when they can return, it won't be the same.

"About 80% of my city is destroyed, so it's not the same, and people are not the same," Daria Ruzhynska said. "People I love there are not in safe place.""About 80% of my city is destroyed, so it's not the same, and people are not the same," Daria Ruzhynska said. "People I love there are not in safe place."

While worry and guilt creep in, the Ruzhynskys try to replace it with hope and prayer.

"It's really unpredictable," Daria Ruzhynska said.

But they believe Ukraine will come out on the other side. Even their 7-year-old daughter, Maria, is optimistic.

"Maybe something good will happen, and they will win," she said.

So for now, they focus on the good.

"I love everything about United States," Daria Ruzhynska said. "I love everything about Charlotte, and I can say we're happy here."

Theo Ruzhynsky then added, "The sense of my life is to make sure these ladies are happy. They're happy, so I'm happy ... We're all happy together; that's what matters."

The Ruzhynskys plan on staying in the United States: Theo with his technology job, Maria in elementary school and Daria playing piano professional for Opera Carolina. Daria Ruzhynska says her mother is safe, and she plans on visiting her as soon as she can.