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While South Africa is yet to officially declare its stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the spotting of a frigate, which is a type of warship in Cape Town, has sparked renewed criticism on why SA is on the fence regarding the controversial matter.
In October 2022 South Africa chose to abstain from a vote at the United Nations General Assembly to condemn Russia's annexation of parts of Ukraine.
The General Assembly then approved the resolution with 143 in favour and five against, but 35 nations abstained including South Africa, China, India, and Pakistan
And now, in a surprising turn of events, South Africa has announced it would take part in joint naval exercises with Russia and China.
The Ukrainian Association of South Africa said a Russian warship that docked in Cape Town earlier this week was making its way to Kwazulu Natal ahead of the navy drills that start on Friday in Durban and Richards Bay.
The Ukrainian Association of SA's Katya Fedkina said it was "shocking that nearly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, South Africa is still mum.
"At the time that Russia is engaging in the invasion of the sovereign state of Ukraine, this naval exercise falls on the first anniversary of the full invasion of Ukraine since 24th of 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 aggression into the previously peaceful waters of the southern ocean," said Fedkina.
Fedkina said peaceful protests would be held in Cape Town and at the Russian Consulate in Cape Town on Friday.
