Scotland stands with Ukraine

Tonight we are looking at the war in Ukraine, and at Scotland's role in standing with the Ukrainian people

Author: Lewis MichiePublished 16th Mar 2022

Three weeks on from the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine the war.

Million have been forced to flee from their homes, civilians have been killed, lives changed forever.

In recent weeks many Scottish people have stepped up to help Ukrainians, some have organised donation drives, others have offered a home to refugees, and some have even travelled to Ukraine to take matters into their own hands.

We are taking a look at what everyday Scottish people are doing to support those who have had their lives torn apart by war, and at those at home and abroad feeling the impact.

"I want to take a look at how what's happening in Ukraine matters here, in Scotland"

"I consider myself to be Ukrainian, I just happen to be born in Scotland"

Stefan, from Annan, is set to travel to Ukraine, he wants to join up as a solider.

READ MORE - EXCLUSIVE: 'I will go to Ukraine to fight for freedom'

"Having family and friends in Ukraine, and seeing what they're going through..

"I'm in my 50's now, I've had a full adult life.

"You see 18 and 19 year old boys and girls, who haven't had a chance at an adult life, they've not had a chance of having a family or getting married.

"If they're willing to put their bodies on the line, their lives on the line, how can I in all good conscious , thinking of myself as I do as a Ukrainian, not at least offer to do the same?".

"I'm here, my family is there, I want to do something"

Paulina Piotrowska, originally from Poland, lives in Grangemouth. Members of her family found themselves trapped in Ukraine, kilometres from the site of missile strikes.

READ MORE - Polish woman in Grangemouth tells of heart breaking moment niece in Ukraine called to say goodbye

She told us about a call to her Niece, saying:

"She was just shouting and screaming, she's just 19.

"She was just shouting take me to Poland, bring me to Poland, don't leave me here - I don't want to die."

"We felt it was important for that family that we made a long-term plan for them"

As millions of Ukrainians are forced out of their homes, thousands of Scots have offered them somewhere to go.

READ MORE - Airdrie flat renovated for Ukrainian family fleeing Russian invasion

Over 100,000 Brits have offered up homes for refugees.

Scotland is set to look at homing 3,000 Ukrainian refugees immediately, some people who are going to be staying with family members have already begun to arrive.

The Scottish Government has branded it a "super sponsor scheme".

"I think it's really important that local communities begin to organise now"

Businessman Duncan Skinner and his young daughter were evacuated from the city of Luhansk.

He came to Tayside to encourage local businesses to do what they could to help.

READ MORE - Tayside business leaders meet to discuss support for Ukrainian refugees

In particular he is looking for places like hotels to offer jobs to refugees in order to sponsor their visas.

He said:

"In local communities there's much more precise allocation of support, aid and comfort.

"So, I think it's really important that local communities begin to organise now, anticipating what is going to be necessary once the UK opens it's doors properly so we can give a warm welcome to the thousands of Ukrainians who are on their way."

"My friends are still in Kiev, they are fighting there, they are making Molotov cocktails.."

Just a few short months ago Anastasiia Zagoruichyk was in Glasgow to work at the Cop26 climate summit.

READ MORE - EXCLUSIVE: Ukrainian journalist forced to flee home just months after covering Cop26 in Glasgow

Now she has been forced to flee from her home to find safety.

She spoke to us as her loved ones continued to be forced to shelter in order to hide from missile strikes.

"Leave us alone, you keep your own country, and leave the Ukrainians freedom."

Collection drives for donations of clothing, hygiene products and more have popped up around the country.

We spoke to this Ukrainian grandmother at one in Galashiels.

She told us she was struggling to get in touch with her family in Ukraine, and told Russian President Vladimir Putin to "Leave us alone".

READ MORE - Borders removals boss leads mercy mission to help refugees fleeing war in Ukraine

"We need help, they're oppressors, they are oppressing my country, my friends are dying...my family is dying "

From Glasgow to Aberdeen, from Edinburgh to Shetland. Protests and demos against the Russian invasion have gathered across the length and breadth of Scotland.

We've heard passionate speeches from people of all backgrounds.

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