Ukrainian Independence Day marked with demonstrations in Edinburgh and Aberdeen

Ukrainian Independence Day is usually celebrated with a military parade in Kyiv, with smaller community-led marches occurring in towns and cities across the country.

It was first held in 1991 on the anniversary of the Ukrainian parliament’s declaration of state sovereignty from the Soviet Union.

On Wednesday, six months on from the Russian invasion, public gatherings are currently banned in the Ukrainian capital due to concerns over security.

However, Ukrainians in countries all over the world have marked the day with get-togethers and protests.

In Edinburgh, Ukrainian immigrants were joined by politicians and community leaders as they marched up the steps of Calton Hill 

Nick, who moved to Edinburgh from eastern Ukraine in April and helped organise the march, said it is a “big day for Ukrainians”.

The Ukrainian flag outside Marischal College in Aberdeen. Picture: Anna Leshyk

He told The National: “I celebrate this day every year. Last year I was in Kyiv and I went to the Ukrainian independence march.

“Lots of Ukrainians arrived in Kyiv from all over Ukraine and joined in a big celebration.

“Ukrainians have been fighting for freedom from the Russians for eight years so even last year we knew the cost of freedom.

“But now I feel different because I am in a safe place with other Ukrainians while our families are still back in Ukraine, suffering and living in fear every day.”

Marta Leshyk is a 16-year-old from Lviv who currently lives in Aberdeen.

Alongside other Ukrainians in the city she gathered outside Marischal College to commemorate those who have been lost in the war with Russia.

She said the day had always been extremely significant for Ukrainians.

“My mother was quite young when Ukraine became independent but my grandparents still remember living under the Soviet Union,” she said.

“They still remember all the acts of genocide committed against Ukrainians.

“In my region there was the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which was one of the main enemies of the Soviet Union because they were fighting for Ukrainian independence.

READ MORE: First Minister writes to President Zelenskyy on Ukraine Independence Day

“So, this day is really important for me because it is when we remember all the people – all the poets, all the politicians, all the heroes – that died for us to be able to express our feelings, our thoughts and ourselves the way we want.

“It’s a day when we remember and celebrate democracy.”

Irina moved to Fraserburgh from Odessa with her husband and children in May.

She said that while the day is political it also allows people to spend time with their families and celebrate Ukrainian traditions.

“It is the biggest national holiday in our country. We usually have a day off and people wear traditional garments.

“We used to have a military parade and we would watch it on TV but this year of course it will not be held.

“So, we will get together with some Ukrainian families in Peterhead and Fraserburgh to spend time together, to talk about Ukraine and about the situation.

READ MORE: Greens call for Russia’s consul general in Edinburgh to be expelled

“We won’t have any huge celebrations today because our country is struggling so we’re just trying to take some solace and support our warriors and citizens in a remote way.

“It’s very hard to stay so far from home and not be able to see friends and family.

“Our hearts are broken – on this day especially – but we understand that we just have to come through it and wait until the war ends.”

It comes as the First Minister expressed Scotland’s solidarity with Ukraine in a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Nicola Sturgeon said that she hoped the action would strengthen the bond between the two countries “now and in a more peaceful future”.