Ukrainians, Durbanites protest SA-Russia drills on Ukraine war anniversary

The naval exercises, which also include China, began a week ago and are set to continue for a few more days.

They are being held in Durban and Richards Bay.

Friday's demonstration at Durban Harbour, where a Russian frigate docked last week for refuelling, coincides with the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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Local Guven Atala, whose wife is from Kyiv, says it's heartbreaking to see the South African government choosing to sit on the fence about the war.

He says his brother-in-law is on the frontline in Ukraine.

"He is 54 years of age and he has been on the front fighting since April last year. He has probably been home five times for 24 hours at the most. Our day constitutes waking up; she contacts her sister to check if she has had contact with her husband to check if he is ok." 

The Ukrainian Association's Katya Fedkina says the war has caused suffering.

"The global humanitarian crisis increases poverty in South Africa, it promotes violence around the world, and every day it destroys our planet."

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"It is devastating to see that South Africa, a country that paid a very high price for an opportunity to build a democracy and have its freedom, calling the oppressor a friend and want to learn anything from Russia."

South Africa has called for a negotiated peaceful end to the war, calling on the United Nations to lead the process.

On the naval drills with Russia and China, the government says South Africa is a sovereign state. It's defended the exercises, adding that it has conducted similar ones recently with the United States and France.