The region’s Ukrainian community is asking for public meetings and landmarks across Dumfries and Galloway to be lit up in blue and yellow in a mark of solidarity.
Annan’s Mary MacRae (nee: Mychalyschyn) said raising the flag of Ukraine is another visible sign to show support for the country whose people are battling hard against the Russian land, sea and air invasion which began in earnest six days ago.
Mary said: “I think the Ukrainians and those of Ukrainian descent living here would really appreciate the defiant gesture of lighting up Dumfries and Galloway Council buildings and others, and raising flags. It sends an important message to Putin.
“We are grateful to the support we are being shown from people across the region. Many of us have family and friends there living in terror and it is so upsetting.
“We have to do something and, for us, its about raising awareness and speaking out.”
A public service is to be held at the Ukraine Chapel at the former Halmuir POW camp near Lockerbie on March 13 at 1pm with an open invitation for the public to attend.
Local Ukrainians would also welcome public gestures of support such as leaving messages and floral tributes at the Ukrainian Memorial Stone in the chapel’s grounds or to make a donation to the Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal on Gofundme which has been organised on behalf of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain for medical aid and relief.
In Annan, the Reverend David Whiteman has been inviting the public to pop into the Old Parish Church for private prayers since the invasion, for those caught up in the conflict.
Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell has described the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an “appalling act of war” and together with son and Dumfriesshire MSP, Oliver, has been keeping in touch with constituents who have family links with the Eastern European nation.
He said: “Whilst our thoughts, at this time, are with those within Ukraine, I’m also well aware of the Ukrainian diaspora locally and elsewhere in the UK, who are deeply concerned for friends and relatives.
“The Ukrainian Chapel at Hallmuir, near Lockerbie, has long been a focal point for families and individuals with Ukrainian links, both locally and across the country, and I expect will continue to be so.
“It’s a very sobering experience speaking to constituents with Ukrainian connections – now spanning several generations – as they retain great pride and affection for Ukraine and are only too aware of the suffering the country has already had over the last century, at the hands of Stalin, the Nazis and as part of the Soviet Empire.”
Former Dumfries headteacher of Ukrainian descent, Peter Kormylo, is librarian and archivist for the Ukrainian Community Centre in Edinburgh and other initiatives which maintain links between families in the Ukraine and the UK.
Although he lives in Dumfries, he has been staying in Edinburgh to raise support against the invasion and spoke of the fears of family and friends in Ukraine:
He said: “What I think is beginning to frighten people, certainly the people I’m speaking to, is the cyber attacks.
“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.”
The 71-year-old has condemned President Vladimir Putin’s military invasion on neighbouring Ukraine and continues to call for more tougher sanctions against
Russia.
Europe-wide protests against the aggression have been taking place all weekend including demonstrations in Edinburgh – which is twinned with Kyiv – and Glasgow.
UK leaders have voiced their condemnation with First Minster Nicola Sturgeon describing the situation as “appalling and horrific”.
She said: “The Kremlin must face the severest consequences for this unprovoked aggression.
“And the world must stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
