Ukraine: Sandbags flown from Edinburgh Airport to help protect monuments in Kyiv

More than 3,000 sandbags are currently on route from Edinburgh to Kyiv – where they will be used to protect monuments and statues.

After travelling from Edinburgh Airport as the ‘personal luggage allowance’ of an easyJet Captain, they are now on board a train to Ukraine’s capital city.

The bags, which were donated to Edinburgh by Falkirk Council, will be used by officials in Kyiv to erect sand barricades to preserve important historical monuments, memorials, and statues for future generations.

They will arrive in the city less than two weeks after Kyiv called on its twin city Edinburgh for help.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross said: “I’m delighted we were able to answer our twin city Kyiv’s call for help so quickly and that the sandbags will soon be put to good use protecting their treasured monuments and, with that, their history.

The coordination and delivery involved in turning this around has required a real ‘can do’ attitude and a true team effort between all of the organisations involved. They each deserve great credit for their ingenuity and input.

“This is typical of the response since the invasion began a month ago, which has seen a characteristically caring and generous response from the people and organisations from across Edinburgh, with many coming forward with offers of help and donations.

Volunteers assemble sand bags to cover and protect the Monument to Princess Olga, St. Andrew the Apostle and the educators Cyril and Methodius in Kyiv.

"As people flee the war and choose to seek refuge here, our teams will continue to work around the clock to welcome families with open arms and make sure they receive the safety and support they need.”

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