Scotland has joined international commemorations marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Across the nation and globally, memorial services have honoured the thousands of lives lost and the enduring impact of the conflict.
An estimated 55,000 Ukrainians have been killed since the invasion began in 2022, with many more individuals still unaccounted for. Edinburgh hosted a memorial ceremony, reflecting Scotland’s solidarity with Ukraine during this challenging period.
First Minister John Swinney unequivocally condemned the ongoing aggression. He stated:
“Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine has caused unimaginable destruction and devastation. The Scottish Government resolutely condemn the invasion and the atrocities that it has”
Beyond official condemnations, various initiatives across Scotland have fostered connections with Ukraine. A British Council scheme has linked Scottish pupils with pen pals in Ukraine, facilitating cultural exchange and understanding. Children have engaged in video calls and created audiobooks for their counterparts in western Ukraine, commemorating the anniversary.
Louise Kennedy, deputy head at Sandaig Primary School, highlighted the educational benefits of these interactions. She explained:
“The programme is focusing on reading for enjoyment, it’s a cultural exchange and getting children to broaden their horizons and focus on the wider world. We’ve done a lot of work on anti-racism and inclusion, so it’s really important for our children to be aware of the wider issues. We want to pitch things at the right level for our children. In the class, we’ll be talking about the war in Ukraine, and our children have recorded an audiobook for their Ukrainian friends. They will be recording the same book in English, which we’ll share.”
Such programmes aim to broaden the perspectives of Scottish pupils, fostering global awareness and empathy.
The humanitarian effort has also seen significant Scottish involvement. The charity Dnipro Kids, established by Hibernian Football Club supporters, played a crucial role shortly after the conflict began, evacuating approximately 50 children and their carers from Ukrainian orphanages. This initiative exemplifies the deep-seated community spirit in Scotland, offering vital support during times of crisis. For more on how communities rally, see our article on the Guthrie Family’s reward offer.
Among those evacuated were Meetro and Yuliia, who were older children at the time of their arrival in Scotland. Last year, the couple celebrated their marriage here, reflecting a new chapter in their lives. They described their wedding day as profoundly joyful. They said:
“It was a fantastic day, one of the best days of our lives. We had lots of support and help from people and charities around our big day.”
Recalling their initial experiences in Scotland, Meetro and Yuliia noted a distinct difference from the fear prevalent in Ukraine. They explained:
“When we first arrived in Scotland, it was a bit weird. When we looked around Ukraine after the war started, everyone was scared. When we came to Scotland, everyone was smiling and was so kind to us. After living in his atmosphere for a while, I think we became smiler as well.”
The couple harbours aspirations to return to Ukraine one day, hoping to hold another wedding ceremony with their family and friends who remain there.
In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky maintained a defiant stance despite the immense death toll and ongoing conflict. He asserted that Russia had neither managed to “broken Ukrainians” nor achieved triumph in the war. President Zelensky highlighted his nation’s resilience against Russia’s larger and better-equipped military. He stated on social media:
“Looking back at the beginning of the invasion and reflecting on today, we have every right to say: we have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood,”
adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “not achieved his goals.”
According to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, Russia has captured only 0.79% of Ukraine’s territory over the past year of fighting. This statistic underscores the fierce resistance mounted by Ukrainian forces. The Scottish Government continues to monitor the situation closely, aligning with international efforts to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Further information on the Scottish Government’s stance can be found on their official website, and details on the British Council’s global programmes are available at britishcouncil.org.
Source: Multiple Scottish news outlets.
