The Russian consulate in Cape Town tweeted a photo of the ship "Admiral Gorshkov" in the city's harbour
AFP

Ukrainian protesters sailed close to a Russian warship docked in Cape Town Tuesday ahead of a war exercise hosted by South Africa with the Chinese and Russian navies.

The frigate's crew gathered around the ship's railings to watch as the demonstrators waved placards that read "No Russian missiles" and "Keep Russian warfare away from our beaches." Some of the crew members inspect the protesters via binoculars.

The protesters urged Pretoria to forego the maritime exercise Mosi II with China and Russia in favor of using the South African National Defence Force's resources to assist those affected by the country's recent flooding.

Also, the Ukrainian Association of South Africa and other NGOs said they would protest against Exercise Mosi II again, first in front of the Russian consulate general in Cape Town on Friday and then in Umhlanga, north of Durban, on Saturday, East Coast Radio reported.

The members of the group claimed that by allying militarily with Russia, which had threatened to use nuclear weapons in its conflict with Ukraine, South Africa was endangering its reputation as a nation that strongly opposed the use of nuclear weapons.

Protester Dzvinka Kuchar of the Ukrainian Association of South Africa claimed that Russia was using South Africa as a propaganda tool, particularly with the news that Admiral Gorschkov's hypersonic Zircon missile would be tested during Exercise Mosi II.

"I know South Africa says we are a sovereign country, and we can be friends with any country that we want. And this is true," said Kuchar, as reported by Voice of Africa.

"But if you choose to be friends with a country that is running a war, it also sends a message about yourself. You can be friends but at least say to your friend that is causing gender-based violence "Stop beating your wife," she added.

The Admiral Gorshkov frigate docked in Cape Town harbor on Monday ahead of contentious military exercises with China and South Africa, which coincided with the anniversary of Moscow's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The ship departed Cape Town harbor on Wednesday and is currently traveling to the location of the military exercises off the KwaZulu Natal state of South Africa.

The "Mosi" exercises, which translate to "smoke" in the Tswana language of the region, are slated to take place from Feb.17 - Feb. 27 off the coasts of Durban and Richards Bay.