Ukrainians living in Britain tell of fears for their family and call for more sanctions as they protest against Russia's invasion: photos

Hundreds of people gathered outside the offices of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in central London on Thursday to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Draped in Ukrainian flags and carrying homemade signs, several people who talked to Insider told of their fears for family and friends in Ukraine, and called for stronger sanctions against Russia from the British and other world governments.

The invasion has already forced many Ukrainian citizens to flee their homes or take shelter underground.

Many of those were marching as reports emerged of developments in Ukraine. Anton Korchagin, the president of University College London's Ukrainian Society, said his parents and his sister were taking shelter in a bomb shelter in Kyiv, the country's capital.

Korchagin said the latest Western sanctions didn't go far enough, adding: "We want Russia to be sanctioned on a full scale, we want Russia to be disconnected from SWIFT."

There have been calls — including from Ukrainian lawmakers — that the sanctions imposed on Russia should include its expulsion from SWIFT, the global payment system that enables international bank transfers. Countries, including the US and the UK, ramped up financial sanctions against Russia on Thursday but haven't included SWIFT among the measures.

Those calls for tougher sanctions were echoed by Lesia Scholey, who works with the Ukrainian Institute in London.

Scholey, whose father was born in Ukraine, said: "I think the main thing is we need to detach Russia from any financing — that would be kicking them out of the SWIFT payment system as soon as possible."

Regan, a demonstrator who did not want to reveal his full name, told Insider that economic measures were the most effective way to defuse the escalating situation.

"We need to introduce any sanctions we can," Regan said. "We need to remove Russia's access to SWIFT so that international transactions can stop. I don't know what else, there are options and we need to take them."

Soon after the Russian military offensive was launched Thursday, blasts could be heard as airstrikes hit Kyiv and other cities in the east of the country, multiple news outlets reported.

The attacks prompted residents to flee to bomb shelters and metro stations, while images emerged of people lining up in the cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv to access groceries and cash.

Another demonstrator, Yuri, whose mother is in Ukraine, said people there were panicking and stocking up on food.

"People are buying everything out from the shops, many people don't have any food stock saved for long time periods," Yuri said. "My friend moved to a nearby small town because there are some better places to hide out there. The situation is very worrying."

Andriy, who also did not want to share his full name, said that his family had packed their bags and were ready to leave the western city of Lviv at any time.

Amid chants of "UK support Ukraine" and "sanctions now," people in the crowd also called for more military equipment from the UK and the West.

Yevhen Huniak, whose parents are still in Ukraine, said Western aid so far was "not enough."

"There is a dramatic difference between the Ukrainian army and Putin's army," Huniak added.

US President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would deploy more US troops to reinforce NATO's eastern flank but would not send troops to Ukraine.

Hannah Vityk, who is from Ukraine but has been living in London since 2004, said she visited Ukraine briefly last week.

Vityk described the situation in the country at the time as "very normal," adding: "People were just continuing their work."

Now, Vityk said: "My family are sitting in a basement, and I'm not sure if I will see them again."

Among the crowds were some Russian people bearing placards, most of whom were reluctant to speak with Insider.

Polina (not pictured above), who is from Russia, stood outside Downing Street to "support the nation that is super close to us."

"From Russia's side, they need to withdraw the troops and stop this," Polina told Insider, adding: "Knowing the history, we're here in front of Downing Street not in front of the Russian Embassy because there's more chance that the UK will do something in comparison to Russia, unfortunately."

Another demonstrator, Nesta Gogodze, who is from the former Soviet republic of Georgia, told Insider he "wasn't surprised" when the invasion began.

"Everything we are witnessing now in Ukraine started in 2008 in Georgia," Gogodze said, referring to August 2008 when Russian tanks rolled into the country.

"Many, including in the west and in 10 Downing Street, saw this as an isolated incident," Gogodze said, adding, "the West has woken up, but they have to go further."