He added that there were 85 Rwandans - most of them students - in Ukraine, but 18 had so far managed to enter Poland, 27 had crossed the first Ukrainian checkpoint to the border while another six were on their way to Poland.

“The remaining 34 are in areas where there’s intense fighting and are unable to leave,” Mr Mukurarinda said, adding that the government was closely monitoring their situation.

He said there were no reports of any deaths or injuries among them so far.

The Rwandan government is making arrangements to repatriate those who have managed to cross into Poland.