By Patricia Mbewe and Chileshe Mwango
Some Zambian students in various cities in Ukraine have started preparing for their departure into Poland where they are to be evacuated back home.
Yesterday, President Hakainde Hichilema directed that all 141 known Zambians in Ukraine be evacuated following an invasion of Ukraine by Russia with the worst hit city, Kiev, the capital city.
Gricelia Moyo, a Zambian student in Lviv, Ukraine has indicated that they are awaiting a go ahead from the Zambian consulate in that country to leave their respective towns.
Meanwhile, vice president Mutale Nalumango says government will not take sides in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Speaking during the vice president’s question time in parliament today, Mrs. Nalumango said the decision can only be made at regional grouping such as the Africa union and SADC.
Mrs. Nalumango has encouraged Zambians to be more concerned with the welfare of Zambians in Ukraine as opposed to being concerned with which country between Russia and Ukraine Zambia is supporting.
And social media videos are showing what appear to be armored vehicles driving through Obolon, an area just North of Kyiv’s city Centre.
The BBC reports that just in the past hour, Ukraine’s defiance Ministry confirmed that Russian forces had infiltrated the residential district.
