'We're so angry': Ukrainian communities across the south call for more support

Charlotte Briere-Edney reports on the protests in the Thames Valley, London and Brighton.


Dozens of Ukrainians living in the south have taken to the streets to protest at the invasion of their country.

Demonstrations have been taking place in Oxford, Reading and Brighton, with many more travelling to London to protest outside Downing Street and the Russian embassy.

Flowers and candles were placed outside the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre on Saturday morning, February 26.

Around a thousand people took to the streets in Oxford on Sunday

Antonio Gresko, Chair of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, told ITV News Meridian: "It's really important to show that we are united with Ukraine, but also to put pressure on our government to continue with the sanctions because I don't think they've gone far enough."

Antonio has relatives in Ukraine, where the situation is increasingly worrying.

He said: "There are rockets being flown over their apartments. It's really tense, people are leaving.

"It's a very stressful situation. There are young untrained men and women that have been called up. They're having to fight for Ukraine."

Flowers and messages laid outside the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre

"We are not against the Russian people. We are against the Putin regime."

He says the UK, the West and NATO have not done enough to prevent the invasion and are not doing enough to help Ukraine defend themselves.

He said: "I am so angry and so disappointed."

Meanwhile hundreds of people gathered at The Level in Brighton on Sunday afternoon to hear speeches and stand in solidarity.

Speakers in Brighton shared their concerns Credit: @thekinaton

Many protesters have relatives in Ukraine who have been trying to flee the country.

Garry Hicks is married to a Ukrainian; his in-laws are stuck in the country. "We are getting worrying calls", he told ITV, "they're just stuck there, there is nothing we can do for them from here."

Estonians, Poles and other Eastern Europeans also came to the Ukrainian centre in a show of solidarity. Peter Leisupe, of Latvia, said: "I know how Russia works, we have experienced it, so this is why I'm here.

"Ukraine is an independent state, they should be left alone by Russia. The days of imperialism are gone, Russia has to realise that they live in a modern world."

A young girl in Reading holds a placard in support of Ukraine

Through the morning, members of local congregations also arrived at the community centre to show support.

Mary, from St Joseph's in Tilehurst, said: "We have been praying for peace. It's been devastating to us that [the invasion] has gone forward.

"We hope to do some fundraising and to support the local Ukrainian people, as well as sending money over to refugees."

Janet Thomas and Ellie Emberson explained that having no direct ties to Ukraine, they came to the community centre. "I wanted to send a message that we stand with the people who are suffering", said Ellie. "We all stand united in the fight against the war."