Ready to bring Vietnamese citizens from Ukraine home: PM

The move came as Russian forces pounded Ukrainian cities including the capital Kyiv with artillery and cruise missiles for a third day running and many parts of Ukraine are now in danger.

The PM also ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to map out an evacuation plan for citizens and embassy staff in Ukraine if necessary and support them with housing and essential food.

The ministry is also required to cooperate with countries in the region, international and humanitarian organizations to support Vietnamese in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs were tasked to list the number of Vietnamese working or studying in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Public Security is required to create favorable conditions in issuing entry and exit documents for Vietnamese citizens and people of Vietnamese origin and their family members.

According to official statistics, there are about 7,000 Vietnamese people residing in Ukraine, mainly in Kharkiv, Odessa and Kiev.

Russian forces fired missiles at several Ukrainian cities and landed troops on its south coast on Thursday.

At least 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed and 1,115 people wounded so far in the Russian military operation, Interfax quoted Ukraine’s Health Ministry as stating. It remains unclear whether the numbers comprised only civilian casualties.