Ukrainians gather in Glasgow to mark Independence Day

Ukrainians gather for a vigil in Glasgow city centre on Monday evening (Image: NQ)

UKRAINIANS have gathered in Glasgow to mark the country's 35th Independence Day.

Dozens of people attended a vigil in St Enoch Square on Monday evening, organised by the Glasgow Branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB).

The event included speeches, traditional Ukrainian music, the Ukrainian national anthem, a minute of silence and prayer.

The Ukrainian community has gathered in Glasgow to mark the country's Independence Day 🇺🇦 Dozens gathered in St Enoch Square to hear speeches, traditional music and a minute's silence pic.twitter.com/5EuoNb3E3a

— The National (@ScotNational) August 24, 2026

Participants also joined together in an international "chain of unity", gathering in a circle along with other cities around the world to "demonstrate unity and remind the international community that Ukraine's struggle for freedom continues".

Ukrainians gather for a vigil in Glasgow city centre on Monday evening (Image: NQ)

Ukrainians gather for a vigil in Glasgow city centre on Monday evening (Image: NQ)

About 30,000 Ukrainians, mainly women and children, came to Scotland after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine's full-scale war with Russia is now in its fifth year.

Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991.

Many people at Monday's vigil could be seen wearing Ukrainian flags and holding banners such as "Save Ukraine" and "for freedom and self-determination".

Ukrainians gather for a vigil in Glasgow city centre on Monday evening (Image: NQ)

Ukrainians gather for a vigil in Glasgow city centre on Monday evening (Image: NQ)

Larysa Zhdankina, chair of AUGB Glasgow, said: “For Ukrainians, Independence Day is not only a celebration. Independence is something Ukrainians are defending every single day — our freedom, our sovereignty and our right to determine our own future.

“The war continues, and Ukraine still needs international solidarity and support. Ukraine still needs its friends.

Ukrainians gather for a vigil in Glasgow city centre on Monday evening (Image: NQ)

Ukrainians gather for a vigil in Glasgow city centre on Monday evening (Image: NQ)

“We are deeply grateful to Scotland for the support and hospitality Ukrainians have received. On Independence Day, we want Ukrainians and our Scottish friends to stand together once again and show that Ukraine is not alone.”

A similar event was organised in Edinburgh earlier on Monday.

AUGB members gathered outside Edinburgh City Chambers, along with the Ukrainian consul general in Edinburgh and representatives from the Scottish Government and the city council.

Wreaths are laid at the Stone of Remembrance outside Edinburgh city chambers to mark Ukrainian Independence Day (Image: Neil Pooran / PA)

A minute's silence was observed, before wreaths were laid at the Stone of Remembrance outside the city chambers.

The Ukrainian national anthem was sung at the end of the ceremony.