A Scottish student who died fighting in Ukraine had promised his mother he would come home alive. Arkadii Petrov, 21, was killed in action while fighting against Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.
Petrov and his family fled the region after the war with Russia broke out and moved to Kirkcudbright. He studied at Kirkcudbright Academy and enrolled at Edinburgh University in 2022, but later returned to Ukraine to join the fight.
Mother's poignant tribute
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, but his mother, Liudmyla Petrova, revealed in a social media post in June that he had been injured in combat. She said: "My son came back from an assault mission. On the way out, his hands were burned. His hands are still there. They’re okay. Then he said, 'Mum, don’t worry about me. I promised my fallen comrade’s girlfriend that I would bring him back alive.'"
She continued: "I couldn’t stop thinking about those words. They don’t go to war carrying only weapons. They carry other people’s hopes. Other people’s promises. Other people’s hearts. Someone is waiting for a son. Someone is waiting for a husband. Someone is waiting for the person they love. And out there, they keep their promises to one another, even while looking death in the eyes every single day."
School friend remembers 'kind and friendly' student
Lewis Velntine, who went to school with Petrov at Kirkcudbright Academy, remembered him as a 'kind and friendly person.' He said: "Really sad to hear about the passing of Arkadii. When he joined our year, we welcomed him in. Thinking about how awful of a time he must of been going through. Even with everything that had been happening in his homeland, he was always such a kind and friendly person. He was keen to get involved in the things we did, both in and outside of school, including our parties and was always a lovely person to have around. It’s terrible to now hear that he has passed away in an awful war that is still ongoing, My thoughts are with the family and friends in this time."
The school said: "It is with deep sadness that I write to pass on the terrible news that one of our recent former pupils has been killed. Arkadii Petrov and his family arrived in Kirkcudbright from Ukraine as refugees fleeing from the Russian invasion, at the start of the war. Arkadii had returned to Ukraine and was fighting against the invasion forces in Eastern Ukraine when he was killed in action."
Background of the conflict
The Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, prompting millions of Ukrainians to flee the country. Communities across Scotland welcomed refugees through the UK Government's Homes for Ukraine scheme and other routes.
