London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Apr 06, 2026

Ukraine conflict: Protests against invasion by Russia held in Scotland

Ukraine conflict: Protests against invasion by Russia held in Scotland

Ukrainians in Scotland have joined demonstrations against the Russian attacks on their homeland as they urge the UK to use further sanctions.

Russian troops entered Ukraine on Thursday, reaching the capital city Kyiv on Friday morning.

Demonstrations in Edinburgh and Glasgow are part of a Europe-wide protests against the Russian invasion.

Those leading the protests in Scotland said the escalation of Russian violence was "deeply worrying".

Anti-war demonstrations in support of Ukraine have also taken place in Russia, where police made hundreds of arrests in cities including St Petersburg and Moscow.

In Scotland, there has been cross-party condemnation of the military action, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon describing the Russian air strikes and border breaches as "appalling and horrific".

Glasgow City Council has made moves to suspend its twinning arrangement with the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.

And the flag of Ukraine is flying at Glasgow City Chambers at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh. A number of councils said they would light up buildings in blue and yellow in a mark of solidarity.

In Edinburgh - which is twinned with Kyiv - crowds gathered outside the Russian Consulate in Melville Street for a second day.



Hundreds chanted "slava Ukraini" (glory to Ukraine), with many bringing Ukrainian flags and anti-Putin signs.

A bagpiper played Ukraine's national anthem and some Ukrainians addressed the crowd through a megaphone, calling for more Western help to resist the invasion.

Afterwards protestors lit candles at nearby St Mary's Cathedral.

Earlier Peter Kormylo, from the Edinburgh Ukrainian Club, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland the demonstrations would have little impact on the Russian leaders, and the UK and US sanctions were "too little, too late".

"I'm very, very sad this morning," he said. "I'm absolutely convinced that these sanctions should even yet be made more severe."

Candles were lit by protestors in Edinburgh


Mr Kormylo, who regularly visits family and friends in Ukraine, said the attack was not unexpected because Ukrainians had become "extremely distrustful" of Vladimir Putin.

"What I think is beginning to frighten people, certainly the people I'm speaking to, is the cyber attacks," he said. "In all of this bombing and shelling people are still using their phones to stay in touch with each other, with loved ones.

"As soon as those facilities are cut off that's when people begin to, not so much panic, but be afraid."

'Massive support'


In Glasgow's George Square members of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) held an afternoon vigil.

Dr Yevgen Gorash, AUGB Glasgow vice-chairman, was spending a second day there, having met members of the Ukrainian diaspora in the square on Thursday.

"There was nothing else we could do," Dr Gorash told the BBC. "The only thing we could focus on was to show that we are there and we have got the massive support of the local people and massive attention.

"We would like everyone to join us and meet us, talk to us. We need your attention and we need your support."

Yevgen Gorash said the situation in his homeland was deeply worrying


The Strathclyde University research fellow, who has lived in Glasgow for 10 years, said Ukraine's second biggest city Kharkiv, where his family live, was under siege.

"Yesterday morning when the Russian army and tanks proceeded very quickly to the outskirts of the city, but the [Ukrainian] army was able to stop them," he said.

"[My parents] can still hear the shelling and explosions but they are quite far away on the outskirts of the city. Inside of the city everyone seemed to be safe - many people spent the night in the bomb shelters and also in the underground."

But he added: "It is deeply worrying."

A residential building in Kyiv was damaged after Russia launched a massive military operation

Some Kyiv residents sheltered in underground metro stations overnight


Dr Gorash said he did not believe the sanctions being put in place against Russia were enough.

"It is already the most catastrophic scenario that no one would imagine in the 21st century in the geographical centre of Europe, with a 50 million-people nation under threat of annihilation," Dr Gorash said.

"Just economic sanctions are not enough. Putin has prepared for them.

"What is needed is full engagement of United Nations with peacekeepers, European Union with economic support, and open borders, and Nato. Without Nato we wouldn't survive."

Russian national Anzhela Erdem went to George Square to show solidarity with Ukrainians


Russian national Anzhela Erdem, who has lived in Scotland for 12 years, went to George Square to show her support for the Ukrainians.

"I've been devastated and shocked and ashamed, to tell the truth," she said.

"I came here to show my support, to show that I am against this cruel war and let people know that not all Russians support this war."

She said many Russians believed Putin was taking "small military actions" against terrorists to free Ukraine.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Considers Deploying Aircraft Carrier for US Independence Day Celebrations Amid Renewed Transatlantic Focus
United Kingdom Moves to Attract AI Firm Anthropic Amid Tensions with US Defense Officials
RAF Intercepts Iranian Drones in Middle East to Defend Allied Security Interests
Labour Signals Shift on Foie Gras and Fur Restrictions to Advance EU Trade Talks
Seven Arrested Near RAF Base as UK Authorities Respond to Protest Activity
Economic Pressures Mount as Analysts Warn UK Growth Is Being Constrained by Policy Burdens
UK Green Party’s Push for Church-State Separation Sparks Debate Over National Identity
Strategic Island Emerges as Growing Challenge for United States and United Kingdom Defense Planning
Pepsi Pulls Sponsorship from UK Festival Following Backlash Linked to Kanye West
Signs Emerge of Declining Enthusiasm for Social Media in the United Kingdom
Security Alert Raised Ahead of Meghan Markle’s Planned Visit to Australia
UK Food Halls Defy Hospitality Slowdown, Emerging as Bright Spot in Challenging Market
UK Sets Firm Conditions for Military Action, Insisting on Legal Mandate and Clear Strategy
UK Medicines Regulator Launches Probe into Peptide Clinics Over Health Claims
New North Sea Drilling Unlikely to Significantly Cut UK Gas Imports, Analysis Finds
Woman Linked to UK’s First All-Female Terror Plot Faces Deportation
Downed US Aircraft Over Iran Linked to Operations from UK Airfield
Two Men and Teen Detained in UK Following Attack on Jewish Charity Ambulance
UK Police Launch Inquiry After Firearms Left Unattended Outside Mayor’s Residence
Giuffre Family Calls on King Charles to Meet Epstein Survivors During US Visit
Amber Wind Warning Issued as Storm Dave Approaches Parts of the United Kingdom
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit Set to Draw Heightened Global Attention
UK Considers Entry Fees for Overseas Visitors at Major Museums Ahead of 2026 Travel Season
UK Prime Minister and Kuwait Crown Prince Coordinate Security Response After Regional Escalation
Calls Grow to Expand Fully Paid Maternity Leave for UK Teachers Amid Workforce Pressures
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access to US Market in Landmark Pharmaceuticals Agreement
Trump Projects Strength in Critique of UK Leadership and Naval Readiness
UK FinTech Setback as VibePay and Smartlayer Cease Operations Amid Funding Pressures
UK Leads Global Coalition of Over Forty Nations to Address Strait of Hormuz Crisis
UK Firms Urged to Accelerate Preparation as New Sustainability Reporting Rules Take Shape
UK Moves Rapid Sentry Air Defence System to Kuwait After Drone Strike Escalation
Transatlantic Relations Tested as UK Seeks Balance While Trump Reshapes Strategic Approach
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
×