Sierra Leone Embassy In Russia say they have registered 97 Sierra Leoneans  in Ukraine. 40 of those registered are private residents while the remaining are students.

Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo and diplomatic staff are in regular Communication with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Ukraine, Madam Liudmyla Rusalina

In an earlier Zoom meeting held on15-02-22 they agreed contingencies in support of Sierra Leoneans in the event of the situation escalating to all out armed conflict

Madam Rusalina advised that her home will be available to host Sierra Leoneans to succor whilst waiting for evacuation. Her residence, she informed is on the outskirts of Kyiv which is safe and well-guarded with armed security. Madam Rusalina is supported by the Sierra Leone Community Organization, which she helps set up and sponsoring. And with the help of the latter, they’ve been able to register 97 Sierra Leoneans of which 40 are private.

The Embassy  further reassure all and sundry that at the time of going to press they had not received any information of harm to any of our citizens

The Embassy confirmed that the Government of president Julius Maada Bio has appealed to countries neighboring Ukraine- Moldova , Poland Hungary, Romania, Slovakia aa d Belarus through the Mission in Moscow to other temporary sanctuary if and when our Citizens Show up in their territories whilst the government considers other options including evacuation.

Furthermore, the Sierra Leone Moscow mission also held zoom meeting with Sierra Leone Community and Students in Ukraine where information was shared in regards to the ongoing conflict, risk, and safety measures to be adopted by Sierra Leoneans

Meanwhile, the White House has announced the US plans to join the European Union and UK in sanctioning Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Speaking to reporters at the daily briefing on Friday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the US, “in alignment with the decision by our European allies”, will sanction Putin, Lavrov and “other members of the Russian national security team”.

But while the UK and EU sanctions on Putin and Lavrov will entail an asset freeze, not a travel ban, Ms Psaki tells reporters the US measures will involve a travel ban.

Psaki says more specific details on the sanctions will be released later today.