Ukrainian Association: Russian drills in KZN ends SA’s neutral position
Nearly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, the Ukrainian community in South Africa and other supporters will take part in peaceful marches to protest South Africa, Russia and China's joint naval drills.
The exercises will be carried out in Richards Bay and in Durban.
A Russian frigate docked in Cape Town earlier this week and is on its way to Durban ahead of the over-a-week-long drills that start on Friday.
Katya Fedkina, who is from the Ukrainian Association in SA, says it's disappointing that the government has chosen to invite the Russian Federation to participate in “war games”.
"At the time when Russia is engaging in the invasion of the sovereign state of Ukraine, this naval exercise fall on the first anniversary of the full invasion of Ukraine since 24 February last year.
"We are concerned mainly by the escalation of the conflict into World War III, the South African government has welcomed Russian military into the previously peaceful water of the southern ocean."
Fedkina says in their view, the drills end South Africa's neutral position in the war.
The group will be marching from the Whalebone Pier on Umhlanga Beach and back to the same spot on Saturday.
Another group in Cape Town will be protesting in front of the Russian Consulate on Friday.
