Staff Reporter

The Government has assured Zimbabwean students and citizens in Ukraine of a safe evacuation from the warzone country.  This follows a conflict between Ukraine and Russia that has escalated to an armed battle.

On its Twitter handle the Government guaranteed the safety of the citizens and assured them it had everything under control.

“Government has taken note of the current situation in Ukraine and the possibility of our nationals being caught in it.  Any Zimbabwean in Ukraine needing Government intervention are advised to make contact with the Zimbabwean Embassy in Berlin telephone number(supplied),” read the post.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, added that, “The Zimbabwe Embassy in Berlin has registered 256 citizens in Ukraine.”

The situation in Ukraine erupted without giving enough time for different governments to prepare for the evacuation of their citizens, however, the Zimbabwean Government has moved swiftly to ensure all Zimbabweans are evacuated without further delay.

With the no fly zone having been imposed in Ukraine, the Zimbabwean Government has advised its citizens to leave Ukraine if it is still safe to do so and travel to any third country.

“Representations were made to different embassies to allow safe passage of our nationals.  Currently there are no flights out of Ukraine so travel has to be by other means.

“Help will be given when nationals have accessed any of the following third countries, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Russia,” said Mangwana.

Meanwhile, Russia’s forces have entered the Obolon district in Kyiv, where the Ukranian military is currently fighting the invading forces.  Ukraine’s Defence Ministry has asked residents not to leave their homes; the district is approximately 10km from central Kyiv.