Zimbabwean students in Ukraine are facing difficulties “self-evacuating” from the warzone as the battle between Russia and Ukraine rages on.
On Thursday morning, the Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military assault on neighbouring Ukraine, crossing its borders and bombing military targets near big cities.
The full scale Russian attack on the capital, Kyiv, has entered a second day. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 137 people have been killed so far, including civilians.
Nehanda Radio had a telephone conversation with one Zimbabwean medical student in Ukraine, Ngonidzashe Mufuka who said that he and his colleagues were stuck.
Mufuka added that they are expected to move from wherever they are in Ukraine to the nearest borders of Poland, Moldova, Belarus or Russia.
He said this was, however, impossible because they needed protection.
Mufuka has been staying in Kyiv for five years doing his studies.
“The situation in Ukraine is, regardless of your nationality, there is no country ready to help you while you’re still in Ukraine. You have to find your way to the nearest border. When you get into Poland, Moldova, Belarus or Russia, there you can get help.
“Today Ambassador Sango (Mike Nicholas Sango) in Russia updated that even Russia is now taking foreigners. You only need to find your way to the border with your passport. When you get there, you tell them that there is an evacuation plan and they will help you,” he said.
“But the problem here is there is no means to get to the border. Personally, I tried three days to escape but there is no way out. The only way was is if governments were able to talk to Ukraine officials so that they organise a police or military escort to take us to the Poland border.”
Mufuka added: “Maybe the situation can change but I doubt because some students have given up already”.
He is the one who created a WhatsApp group of more than 200 students in Ukraine. The group is for the purposes of updating each other as the situation unfolds.
The Government of Zimbabwe has since advised its citizens in Ukraine to contact their embassy in Berlin if they get involved in tensions gripping the former Soviet Union.
“Government has taken note of the current situation in Ukraine and the possibility of our nationals being caught in it.
“Any Zimbabweans in Ukraine needing Govt intervention are advised to make contact with our Embassy in Berlin on Tel: +49 30 232556760 [email protected],” the Ministry of Information said.
“Further contact details; Email address: [email protected], Contact numbers: 0049 30206 2263 / 770067.” Nehanda Radio
We pray for the Lord’s protection in such trying times ☹️
One has to understand that, the is a full scale war in Ukraine. Crying will never help rather play wise and hide with others over there. These people could have proactively acted before this thing could escalate. They should have pulled out when other nations were calling on their people to evacuate from Ukraine. Now this is a catastrophic situation here and the is absolutely nothing the government or good Samaritans can do. Pray wherever you that Russian miles won’t hate you. Mukapabuda dzokai kumusha.
We pray for your safety brothers and sisters ndozvinoita kumafura mhepo hupenyu huyai muvote mudzidze munyika yenyu register to vote
This is horrible 🥺🥺🥺
Stay put. Kiev will be overun shortly or they are just about surrendering now.!
Travelling will expose you to peril.
Yes bridges have been blown.
They must take guns and defend themselves
It’s Ngonidzashe Mufuka not mukufa @Nehanda Radio
Just be there for yourself guys ours are struggling here on their mother’s land education system is poor teachers on strike,some still waiting for their results
Zim government can’t help you when you are in Zim ,what about when you are in Ukraine???
When other Zimbabweans are being atacked in South Africa I never here anyone from Ukraine voicing get your shit alone there, your gorvement is even supporting the war
Gunha Unendoro Wonder there’s war in Ukraine and in SA there’s no war
Gunha Unendoro Wonder no need for this baba.
Mave vanhu vakuru ikoko, zvionereiwo nekuno tine eduwo ma problems
Next our gvt must consider improving education system here and building good schools
There are buses from Belarus ..come home
That’s the result of presidential scholarships from looted funds. Don’t be cowards, fight against Russia there and represent us.
#ProtectTheCityKiev…
Ndo hondo full scale iya yamunoti toisunungura ne one day ana bhangu. pfuti ikanyatsoridzwa kana bete harifambi. Manga majaira kuverenga vana Hitler manje mava mu practical theory yakapera garaimo