The morning of horror: Ukrainians protest on the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion

By Anna Konovalenko/All photos are courtesy of Mykyta Budnyk

Editors note: About an hour after the demonstration finished with some people covered in Ukrainian symbolics still standing under the russian consulate, the black diplomatic van parked outside the consulate, and two people, a man and a woman speaking russian got out of the vehicle and started taking off all the posters and signs Ukrainians left while filmed by Marjan Pokhylyy.

Cities all around the world were crowded with blue-yellow symbolics as Ukraine marked the second anniversary of a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2024. Supported by local people and news media, Ukrainians covered in flags and carrying protest signs came out on the streets reminding the world of the ongoing war.

Following the Edinburgh demonstration – Ukrainian Victory Campaign, Ukrainians gathered near the Russian Consulate, the place symbolic to Ukrainians as to shows the oppression of the Russian violence, forcing the Russian Consulate to leave Edinburgh. The main message articulated that day was to increase military support for Ukraine and once again attract attention to Ukrainian prisoners of war who are held captive in Russia in inhumane conditions. 

The sea of signs ‘Free Azov’, ‘Free Azovstal Defenders’, ‘Remember Olenivka’, and ‘Fight For Them As They Fought For Us’ was up in the sky showing Ukrainians remember everyone who defends them and are ready to stand until every prisoner of war is freed.

The demo organiser Marjan Pokhylyy spoke on the significance of such indicative actions as the declaration of solidarity with Ukraine. We later talked to Marjan about his thoughts on the importance of such protests and the message he wanted to put out.

In addition to Ukrainian volunteers and activists representing the country who spoke at the demo, Scottish community contributors were invited to showcase local support provided to Ukrainian families and friends. The event also engaged many political forces including the SNP, Scottish Green Party and Radical Independence Campaign.

AUGB Edinburgh Ukrainian Club and the Ukrainian Consulate in Edinburgh attended the demonstration addressing everyone with a speech on the importance of continued political pressure on Russia and Russian diplomats in Scotland. AUGB Edinburgh (Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Edinburgh) leader Hannah Beaton Hawryluk came to the demo and spoke on the ongoing support for Ukrainians in Scotland highlighting they will continue advocating for Ukraine.

On that day, Ukrainians appeared completely united, engaging in conversation and openly sharing their stories. The palpable spirit of unity permeated the atmosphere carrying hopes and prayers for the country’s victory.

We spoke with a few Ukrainians, seeking their reasoning behind coming that day to the demonstration.

Mykyta, 23, said: 

‘I came here to show solidarity with Ukraine and remind people here that the war is far from over. It has been going on for 10 years and today is the second year of the full-scale invasion. Today here I met a lot of friends from entirely different areas of life, political parties and communities. It’s really good people are waking up because Ukraine really needs this help and weapon right now.

‘As a representative of the Ukrainian community, I believe that because we have the privilege of being safe without missiles over our heads, we ought to at least come to the demos to how there is a war going on and killing and terrorism. And no matter how hard one can feel, we don’t have the right to stay silent because people in Ukraine have far worse to deal with and they are under a real threat of destruction.’

Tetiana, 54, said:

‘I came here to support Ukrainians. The war has been going on for a decade and today is a two-year of full-scale invasion.

‘There’s terror, there’s the destruction of infrastructure, the slaughter of our people, the ruination of our cultural heritage. That is why we are here. And I hope that someone here, in this Russian consulate, will see this and realise – they are in the minority here and no one supports them. Because people do not support the evil.’