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PBS NewsHourJun 03, 2023
Explosions in Kyiv as African Leaders Visit Ukraine on Peacekeeping Mission
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Image copyright: Marcos Corrêa/PR [via Wikimedia Commons]
The Facts
Explosions were reported in the Ukrainian capital as a delegation of African leaders made their way to Kyiv on a peacekeeping mission on Friday. The delegation — which was led by South African Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa and included senior officials from Egypt, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, and the Republic of Congo — were paying their respects at a church in the Kyiv outskirts of Bucha when air raid sirens in the capital began to blare.
Ukraine's air force later said that Russia launched a total of 12 missiles and two reconnaissance drones over the country as a whole, further claiming that all 14 aerial vehicles were shot down by air defenses.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The South African charter plane was stopped as the country's representatives failed to comply with the standard entry procedures. These violations included bringing in dangerous cargo that the South African delegation didn't have the right paperwork for, as well as the presence of officials who weren't reported to Polish officials before entry.
Establishment-critical narrative
This is an unacceptable move from Polish authorities. They are not only sabotaging the South African leader's security detail; this is racist behavior. Further still, Polish authorities also needlessly strip-searched a female member of the team.
