Ukraine: Road outside Russian Embassy renamed 'Kyiv Road' to 'send a message to Putin'

A road in Westminster which is a short distance from the Russian Embassy has been renamed Kyiv Road to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russia.

The new address will cover a stretch of Bayswater Road and is set to be installed this afternoon.

Leader of Westminster City Council, Labour councillor Adam Hug, made the pledge to rename a Westminster street to "show the people of Ukraine that their struggle has a visible place in our city".

He said: “The request for a new place name has come from the Ukrainian community itself. Westminster is home to Ukrainians displaced by the war, and our residents have opened their hearts and their doors to those fleeing Putin’s war machine.

The new sign is to 'show the people of Ukraine that their struggle has been visible'
Westminster City council

“As the centre of an international capital, it seemed to us entirely fitting that part of our city should carry a torch for the unbowed defenders of Ukraine.

“It’s a small stretch of road, but we want to show the people of Ukraine that their struggle has a visible place in our city.”

Cllr Hug pledged the idea when he took office in May 2022 to rename a Westminster street to mark the war.

Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, said: “Kyiv Road is a symbol of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and a tribute to their unwavering spirit in the face of aggression.

“It is a reminder that the struggle of Ukraine has the attention of the international community.

“We are grateful to the Westminster City Council and its residents for their support in honouring our nation’s capital and its brave defenders.”

Four people were arrested yesterday after campaign group Led By Donkeys painted a Ukrainian flag on the same road outside the Russian Embassy.

The group claimed responsibility for the 500 square metre blue and yellow flag, painted on Bayswater Road on Thursday, adding that they did it to mark Friday’s first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Bayswater road was covered in paint on Thursday to mark the anniversary of the war
HANNAH MCKAY

It comes as Marble Arch is set to be lit up in Ukraine’s yellow and blue colours, and the Ukrainian flag will fly above Westminster City Hall.

The move makes London one of several European cities to commemorate the conflict in Ukraine by renaming a public area.

In March last year, Lithuania named the road in the capital Vilnius leading to the country’s Russian embassy Ukrainian Heroes’ Street, and changed the address of the Russian embassy to Independent Ukraine Street.

The change of street name is supported by Bayswater councillors, and was paid for from existing ward budgets, meaning there is no additional cost to residents.