Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” As Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine continues, putting millions of civilian lives, including children, at risk, this seems more relevant than ever before. While Ukrainian soldiers continue to bravely fight against autocratic Russia on the battlefront, the Ukrainian student community, living thousands of miles away from home in Glasgow, United Kingdom, is waging a different battle. Though often overlooked by global media, their efforts in advocacy, protests, and thought leadership are making a significant impact in gathering support for the Ukrainian cause.
The city of Glasgow is home to some of the world’s leading academic institutions, including the University of Glasgow, which currently has a significant number of students from Ukraine. Some of them are very outspoken in their support for their motherland. One such student is journalist and activist Anna Konovalenko, originally from Kyiv but currently based in Glasgow, where she studies International Relations & Human Rights, whilst actively advocating for the Ukrainian cause. Anna’s journey began when she first arrived in Glasgow, searching for opportunities to support Ukraine.
She discovered the Scot Baby Box Appeal, an initiative that sends maternity kits and baby clothes from Scotland to Ukraine. Later, she transitioned into journalism, covering Ukrainian-related topics in newsrooms, and pitching stories about the Ukrainian cause to local media outlets. She is currently deeply involved in advocacy and activism, organising protests, fundraising events, and volunteering at the Camouflage Nets Centre in Glasgow.
Anna explained to Hillhead Review that many proactive Ukrainians abroad want to help their country in every way possible, yet they always feel like they are not doing enough. “Because we are abroad, we constantly feel the need to contribute even more to support Ukraine from afar.”
Anna believes that for Ukrainians in Glasgow, the primary goal is to keep Ukraine in the global conversation and remind the international community of the ongoing war. “The most crucial thing right now is explaining to people what is happening because media attention is slowly shifting away from Ukraine. Last year, Ukraine was barely in the news, and it’s vital to keep the discussion alive on a daily basis.”
She also strongly believes in the power of micro-targeting to spread awareness. “If someone asks about Ukraine, explain it to them. Many people are unaware of the full picture, but when they hear first hand stories from Ukrainians, such as their friends and colleagues, they develop a real emotional connection. They then go home and share the truth, which helps spread awareness.” Currently, Anna is organising an information campaign by putting up posters in open galleries, inviting people to ask questions about Ukraine. She believes that many people want to learn about Ukraine but don’t know where to turn for real answers. “I make sure to explain the reality, counter propaganda, and keep them informed about the truth.”
Ukrainian students and their allies are following in the footsteps of President Zelensky
Another remarkable story is that of a PhD student from Poland who, despite not being Ukrainian, has dedicated herself to supporting Ukraine in every way possible at the University of Glasgow.
Speaking to Hillhead Review, she shared her journey: “The day the war started, most Central and Eastern European students at the University began looking for Ukrainian students to offer support. I met one person from Edinburgh who had previously been the President of the Ukrainian Society at the University of Glasgow during a demonstration just a day after the war began. We both decided to revive the Ukrainian Student Society, even though we weren’t Ukrainian ourselves.
“In the first cohort of the revived society, some of us were Slovak, some were Ukrainian, and others were from Central and Eastern Europe. While we weren’t the most outgoing or extroverted people, we still wanted to create a structured organisation. I became the Secretary, and we appointed a Chairperson and a Treasurer. When new Ukrainian students arrived at the University, we passed our responsibilities to them because they were so passionate about the cause.”
She highlighted that over the past two years, the Ukrainian Society has organised fundraisers to provide front-line soldiers with essential equipment, with some Ukrainian students even taking up jobs to donate their earnings directly to the military effort. Beyond activism, the society has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with other Ukrainian student societies across the UK to promote collaboration and unity. They have also worked closely with the Glasgow chapter of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.
The Ukrainian Society is at the heart of this movement. The society has been incredibly active in organising events, including an emergency rally at the US Consulate in Edinburgh on 5 March, the Invicta Ukraina event at Glasgow Cathedral on 24 February, and the Stand with Ukraine demonstration on the same day, amongst many other activities.Through these efforts, the student-led society ensures that Ukraine remains in the conversation at the University.
Ukrainian students and their allies are following in the footsteps of President Zelensky, who in 2022, famously declared; “We are not putting down arms. We will be defending our country because our weapon is truth, and our truth is that this is our land, our country, our children, and we will defend all of this.”
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