Arkadii Petrov, a former pupil at a Scottish high school, has been killed in action on the frontline in Ukraine, shortly before his 21st birthday. The young Ukrainian moved to Dumfries and Galloway with his family after Russia’s invasion in 2022 before later returning to his homeland to fight.
Petrov attended Kirkcudbright Academy and later studied at the University of Edinburgh for a year. He eventually interrupted his studies and returned to Ukraine, where he served as a combat medic and drone operator.
His family was informed on 22 September that he had been killed during a combat mission in eastern Ukraine on 18 September, just two days before his 21st birthday.
Arkadii Petrov Remembered by Family
Petrov’s mother, Liudmyla, described her eldest son as “funny, bright, very charismatic and full of life”. She also remembered him as an “incredibly loving brother” to his younger sisters and brother.
She said Ukraine remained central to her son’s thoughts as the war continued. According to his mother, he followed developments in the country closely and eventually felt unable to continue living a normal life while other Ukrainians were defending the country where he was born.
“Ukraine was the country he loved more than anything,” she said.
Liudmyla said she noticed her son becoming more serious as the conflict continued. Although he had built a life in Scotland and had begun university studies, he ultimately chose to return to Ukraine.
Petrov was wounded several times while serving in combat. His mother said he was sincere, brave and honest, but stressed that her family knew him for much more than his military role.
“Arkadii was our son, our pride, and I want his name and his life to be remembered,” she said.
She described him as a young man who loved books, music and jokes and had dreams for his future. She said he adored his sisters, Avrora and Kapitolina, as well as his younger brother Aaron.
Scottish Community Remembers Ukrainian Soldier
Following Petrov’s death, his family travelled from Scotland to Ukraine to arrange his funeral. Liudmyla said the loss was particularly painful because she would never again see her son’s face, hear his voice or hold him.
She also mourned the future he would no longer have, including the dreams, family and children he might have had.
At the same time, she said she was “enormously proud” of her son because he had chosen to defend Ukraine.
Liudmyla said she wanted people to remember Petrov as an individual rather than simply another young soldier killed in Ukraine. She emphasised that he had a family, childhood, ambitions and a future ahead of him.
Kirkcudbright Academy Pupil Returned to Ukraine
Petrov was also remembered by Peter Kormylo, an archivist at the Ukrainian Prisoner of War chapel in Lockerbie, where the young man attended services.
Kormylo said the wider community in southern Scotland had been deeply affected by Petrov’s death. He recalled meeting him after Petrov arrived in Scotland with his mother, younger brother and two sisters when he was about 16 or 17.
He described Petrov as a courteous and serious young man who had always been determined to return to Ukraine and fight.
Kormylo recalled one visit to the chapel when he found Petrov sitting alone after everyone else had left. He initially thought the young man was writing letters, but realised they appeared to be prayers.
“He was a deep thinker,” Kormylo said, adding that Petrov appeared to believe he needed to fulfil what he regarded as his patriotic duty.
Petrov’s death has brought renewed grief to the Ukrainian community in the south of Scotland. Kormylo said the family had arrived in the country as refugees without knowing what the future would hold, while Petrov continued to believe Ukraine would eventually achieve victory.
He said Petrov had matured during his time in Scotland before making what he described as a very adult decision to return to Ukraine. The community, he added, was now sharing the pain of his death.