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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Ross Lydall

London street to be renamed Kyiv Road to mark first anniversary of invasion

A section of a London street will be renamed Kyiv Road to mark the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Westminster City Council said.

The new name covers a small section of Bayswater Road, running from Palace Court to Ossington Street, and is a short distance from the Russian embassy.

Leader of Westminster City Council, Adam Hug, said the new road name was "a fitting gesture" to commemorate Ukraine's inspiring bravery.

He said: "The request for a new place name has come from the Ukrainian community itself. Westminster is home to Ukrainians displaced by the war, and our residents have opened their hearts and their doors to those fleeing Putin's war machine.

(Ross Lydall/Evening Standard)

"As the centre of an international capital, it seemed to us entirely fitting that part of our city should carry a torch for the unbowed defenders of Ukraine.

"It's a small stretch of road, but we want to show the people of Ukraine that their struggle has a visible place in our city."

Mr Hug pledged when he took office in May 2022 to rename a Westminster street to mark the war.

Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, said: "Kyiv Road is a symbol of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and a tribute to their unwavering spirit in the face of aggression.

"It is a reminder that the struggle of Ukraine has the attention of the international community.

"We are grateful to the Westminster City Council and its residents for their support in honouring our nation's capital and its brave defenders."

The move makes London one of several European cities to commemorate the conflict in Ukraine by renaming a public area.

In March last year, Lithuania named the road in the capital Vilnius leading to the country's Russian embassy Ukrainian Heroes' Street, and changed the address of the Russian embassy to Independent Ukraine Street.

Estonian capital city Tallinn renamed one of its squares Ukraine Square in June 2022.

"Place names across London have changed over the decades to mark momentous points or figures in history, so Kyiv Road is part of that long tradition," added Mr Hug.

The new Kyiv Road sign will be installed on Friday, while in the evening, Marble Arch will be lit up in Ukraine's yellow and blue colours, and the Ukrainian flag will fly above Westminster City Hall.

The change of street name is supported by Bayswater councillors, and was paid for from existing ward budgets, meaning there is no additional cost to residents.

Residents will also not need to change their addresses if they live within the renamed area.

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