A Ukrainian refugee who survived air raids in Kyiv before moving to the UK has achieved four A* in her A-levels.

Anna Ursakii, 17, was described as a “remarkable young woman” by her headteacher after achieving top grades in biology, chemistry, maths and physics. She will now study natural sciences at Clare College, Cambridge.

Anna fled Kyiv with her family at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and recalled being “absolutely terrified of the sirens”.

Their journey west involved travelling through 10 different countries before they reached northern Italy. From there, she emailed schools at the top of the UK rankings and was awarded a place at £43,000-a-year Brighton College, which has taken around 20 Ukrainian children on full scholarships.

She arrived at the school with her six-year-old brother Sasha and threw herself into life there, becoming a member of the award-winning chamber choir and part of the dance show team.

Reflecting on her time in the UK, she said: “I’ve really valued the opportunity to be at Brighton College. It is a gift to be free, to be safe, and to have a future. I feel safe now, I have good friends and a warm home.

“It breaks my heart that my friends from Ukraine don’t get to experience this and instead have to study in shelters. My hope now is hope for the future and hope for peace.”

Richard Cairns, the Brighton College head teacher, said: “So many Ukrainian youngsters have had their whole lives entirely upended by this terrible war, and the story of Anna gives a glimmer of hope for the future. 

“I am so proud of this remarkable young woman, and am just glad that we were able to help her a little along the way.”