Scotland marks fourth anniversary of Russia's war on Ukraine

Four years since Russia invaded Ukraine, memorial services have been held across the world today to mark the thousands of lives lost to the war.

Around 55,000 Ukrainians have been killed since Russia invaded the country in 2022, with many more still considered missing.

In Edinburgh, they were remembered at a memorial ceremony.

Across the country, a number of schools have been part of a British Council scheme to connect Scottish pupils with pen pals in Ukraine.

They’ve been taking part in video calls and making audiobooks for their counterparts in western Ukraine to mark the fourth anniversary of the war.

Louise Kennedy, deputy head at Sandaig Primary School, told STV News: “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.

Primary school pupils in Glasgow have been marking the anniversary with an audiobook for their Ukrainian friends STV News

“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.”

The charity Dnipro Kids, founded by Hibs fans, evacuated 50 children and their carers from orphanages shortly after the war began.

Meetro and Yuliia were amongst the older children at the time.

Last year, the couple were married here in Scotland.

Meetro and Yuliia married in Scotland STV News

“It was a fantastic day, one of the best days of our lives”, the couple explained. “We had lots of support and help from people and charities around our big day.

“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.”

Meetro and Yuliia came over to Scotland after the war broke out STV News

One day, the couple hopes to return to Ukraine, where they might have an even bigger wedding with friends and family who are still there.

Marking the anniversary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was defiant despite the devastating death toll, insisting that Russia has not “broken Ukrainians” nor triumphed in the war.

He said his country has withstood the onslaught by Russia’s bigger and better-equipped army, which over the past year of fighting captured just 0.79% of Ukraine’s territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank.

“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,” Mr Zelensky said on social media, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “not achieved his goals”.

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, said: “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 caused, as we have done since the start of the war.

“Scotland stands firmly for democracy, human rights and the rule of law at home and around the world. We will support an international peace plan if one emerges that respects Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Any peace plan must be agreed with Ukraine.

“Scotland is proud to have offered a place of sanctuary to more than 29,000 people since the war began, the majority of them through our Super Sponsor scheme. Many of those who arrived after the war outbreak have started to rebuild their lives in Scotland and play a valuable role in communities, schools and workplaces.

“As we mark four years of this horrific conflict, we are continuing to support displaced people to settle into life here, including helping them access longer-term housing and encouraging timely applications to the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

“My message to Ukrainians around the world today is clear: Scotland stands in unwavering solidarity with you, and we will do all we can to support a peaceful future for Ukraine as an independent, sovereign nation.”