The funeral of a former Scottish school pupil who was killed in action on the frontline has taken place in Ukraine.
Arkady Petrov was killed by enemy forces in the east of the country last month, just two days before his 21st birthday. He was laid to rest in Reni on October 3 by his family and military comrades.
Mother's tribute at the service
Speaking after the service, his mother Liudmyla said the scariest thing for any parent is 'standing by their child's grave'. She said: "We bid farewell to our son. Our Arkady. Our Hero."
"Under the Ukrainian flag. In the circle of family, friends, comrades, and people who came to pay their respects to our son. When we were handed the flag of Ukraine, I held it in my hands and understood the terrible price it came at for our family. We wanted to see Arkady off the way he deserved - with love, honor, and dignity."
She added: "The scariest thing for a mother is to stand by her child's grave. To close the coffin and understand that you will never see his alive face again, never hear his voice, never hug him, and never say: 'Arkady, I love you very much.' Arkady, we did everything we could to make your last journey worthy of you. But we will never be able to let you go."
From Kirkcudbright to the frontline
The family fled to Kirkcudbright, in Dumfries and Galloway, after the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022. The Russian invasion prompted millions of Ukrainians to flee the country, with communities across Scotland welcoming refugees through the UK Government's Homes for Ukraine scheme and other routes.
Arkady became a pupil at Kirkcudbright Academy and had enrolled at Edinburgh University but later returned to Ukraine to fight for his country. He had been injured in an assault mission in June when his hands were badly burned, before he was killed three months later.
School pays tribute
Liudmyla thanked wellwishers who had sent support to her family. She added: "Thank you to every person who was with our family during these terrible days. Thank you to those who came to visit Arkadiy, who brought flowers, stood with their heads bowed, supported us with a word, a prayer, or just their presence. I don't know how to thank you all. I just don't have enough words to express how much your support meant and still means to us. There aren't enough words to thank each of you."
Kirkcudbright Academy rector Anthony Tuffery described Petrov as a "polite, respectful and hardworking young man". He added: "Everyone at Kirkcudbright Academy is saddened to hear of the death of Arkadii. Although he was only at the school for one year to complete his S6 studies, he was a polite, respectful and hardworking young man. We would like to pass on our deepest sympathies to his family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time."
