By Sean Moriarty

The Killarney Advertiser featured on a Ukrainian television news station on Monday.

The national TV station ‘5 Channel’ picked up on a story that was published in Irish national newspaper on January 6.

This is the day that Ukrainians traditionally celebrate Christmas and the national daily published a Christmas greeting in Ukrainian in its editorial column.

Killarney-based Ukrainian Natalya Krasnenkova is a freelance journalist with the Killarney Advertiser.

Before fleeing Kyiv she worked for ‘5 Channel’ and producers at the station contacted her to comment on the Irish Independent article. However, she was also able to tell them about the Killarney Advertiser.

Speaking live on National TV Natalya said: "We, Ukrainians, were very touched by the warm words that the Irish found to wish us a Merry Christmas.

“The [Irish Independent] text is very deep, which refers us to the common traditions of celebrating Christmas and demonstrates a deep understanding of the cultural features of the Ukrainian rite. Ukrainians celebrating their first Christmas abroad felt the support and excitement.

“We have received and continue to receive a lot of help from Ireland and the Irish people.

“We appreciate it very much.

“Killarney Advertiser was ahead of the national edition by nine months, even in April last year it started publishing pages in Ukrainian. This allowed Ukrainians in Killarney learning more about life, culture and events in the city. It was a very successful step towards the Ukrainians.”