Please bear with me, this could be long ...
I am a British national (originally from the Midlands) but have lived and worked in Russia for the past 22 years.
During that time, I met and married my Ukrainian husband and we now have two children (7 and 4). Both children are British nationals.
In December, due to the worsening economic situation in Russia, my husband (a civil engineer) lost his job when the investor pulled out of the large construction project he was working on.
He has not been able to get another job since and the chances are that he won't be able to as virtually all construction work in Russia has ground to a halt due to the economic situation. The fact that he is a Ukrainian in Russia isn't helping matters either.
Following the termination of his employment contract (set to terminate 28 Feb), the children's and my Russian visas will be cancelled and we will have to leave Russia.
Obviously, in light of what's happening, we can't go to Ukraine. Poroshenko has announced a nationwide mobilisation and my husband (trained in artillery) would be pounced on if he so much as set foot over the border.
Our only option, therefore, as I see it, is to return to the UK. However, from what I understand of my reading of current UK immigration rules, my husband cannot join the children and me there until (i) I have been "present and settled" there for a year and can prove that I earn enough to support him, or (ii) we have held GBP 62,500 in a bank account for at least six months. Until such time as we are able to sell our property in Russia, option (ii) isn't an option.
I am simply horrified at the prospect of having to split up our family unit like this. We have been married for 13 years and the idea of having to live apart for a year is unthinkable. My husband is a hard-working man who would immediately find himself a job in the UK, however lowly, and who would rather die than ever claim benefits or seek recourse to public funds.
Has anyone ever been in or know anyone who's been in this position? Would so appreciate any advice as I am tearing my hair out wondering what on earth we will do. Thank you.