A Scottish man has staged an eye-catching protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine - by camping in his blue and yellow Tesla outside the Russian Consulate in Edinburgh.
David Fraser has slept for seven days in his electric car, painted in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, in the capital's west end. The freelance business consultant and dad of five decided to stage his highly prominent protest ten months on from Vladimir Putin's incursion into the Eastern European nation.
As well as carrying the colours of the flag, his Tesla Model 3 is embossed with the slogan "Free Ukraine" and has spent the last week playing Ukrainian tunes from its external speakers. Speaking to the Record's sister site Edinburgh Live, David said people were "bored" of Russia's attempts to claw back the former Soviet nation, adding that he wanted to make a statement against the invasion.
He said: "Being here with a big message saying 'Free Ukraine' on the side of the car and people coming and going [in support], sends a message. The car also plays a music from external speakers, I play Ukrainian music, and it also does light shows."
The protest is also personal: David's relationship with Ukraine started back in 1997 when he travelled with the Bethany Christian Trust to help people in dismal living conditions, and has continued to visit regularly since. Since February 24, when Russian troops invaded, he says he's been back over to Ukraine every four to six weeks, delivering cars that can be used on the front line.
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David added: "I started going over in 1997. I was the manager of the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre with the Bethany Christian Trust down in Leith.
"I was sent over there to offer advice about living conditions and to build relationships. I've been back and forward over there since.
"When the war started, I became involved with Cars For Ukraine - they supply vehicles for the military. We help convert cars from the UK into military vehicles.
"The men who are driving these cars are very brave and deserve our support. The cars [once they are over in Ukraine] only have a lifespan of about ten days."
David says the police have spoken to him twice in the week he has been camping out on Melville Street – but only to ask if he was "all good". He says he couldn't be more comfortable, with heated leather seats and heating that automatically kicks in when the temperature drops below 6C.
His essential supplies include a can of deodorant, clothes, a sleeping bag, and a charger for his vape. David, who once lived in Edinburgh but now lives in the Borders, has driven his eye-catching electric car all over the UK in protest at the Russian invasion, sharing videos on social media, and even parked outside Downing Street during a protest he took his 12-year old daughter to earlier this year.
He continued: "I got this car wrapped on the second week of the war. The job of this car now is just to get it out there and spread the message. At that time we thought it would go on for six months...but it has obviously been longer.
"People have seen my TikToks and joined me. They come and go and lots of people drop off food and drinks, the support's been fantastic! One Ukrainian girl dropped off a traditional meal, it was great. Everyone round here has been lovely, no bother and genuinely supportive."
The dad-of-five went on: "I mostly fund myself by driving lorries. I'm a HGV driver too, so you might see me driving a Tesco van about - unless I'm still here.
"I don't know when I'll end this. I'm keeping costs down as much as I can and neighbours I know are letting me shower."
He admits he's only getting around five hours of sleep a night in the car but says he's 'well known in the Ukrainian community' and has kept in touch with people all over the world. So if he can't sleep, "someone will be awake" to speak to.
David has no end goal in sight for his protest, despite the cold and his efforts taking their toll. Above all else, he wants to continue sending a message to the Russians working out of the capital.
He summed up in a recent video: "I look about a hundred years older than when I arrived, but there you go. There is no way the Consulate should be operating in Edinburgh.
"Thank you for everyone's support and thank you who are doing similar things around the world. Slava Ukraini [Glory to Ukraine]."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has previously described the presence of Russian diplomats in Scotland as 'intolerable'. However, because Scotland is not independent and has no powers in this regard, responsibility for foreign diplomatic missions in the UK currently rests with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office."
Edinburgh Live contacted the Russian Consulate for comment.
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