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Daniel Marland
Footage of Vitali Klitschko claiming six members of the Russian force were killed in the city of Kyiv over the weekend has emerged.
Russia launched a military assault on neighbouring Ukraine last Thursday and the conflict is ongoing.
Former heavyweight boxer Klitschko, who is mayor of Kyiv, spoke to Sky News on Sunday and confirmed an operation had been carried out to search for Russian forces in the city.
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When asked about the operation, Klitschko replied: "It's some successful but they are hunting. They sit somewhere with snipers right now and we make an announcement, nobody is allowed to go from houses.
"First of all we care about the life of the people and from another point, we are trying to hunt these people and it will be much easier if nobody else is on the street."
When asked if these groups had been found, the 50-year-old replied: "We killed some people, I guess six people, last night."
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Klitschko's younger brother, Wladimir, has also taken up arms against Russia and both men are 'ready to die' in the fight.
Vitali told CNN overnight: "We’re not interested in how strong the Russian army is, we’re ready to fight.
"And we’re ready to die for our home country and for our families, because it’s our home. It’s our future and somebody wants to come to our home and steal our future from us."
The 50-year-old then explained how the entire country have come together, including those who have no requirement to fight.
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He continued: "We stayed in front of one of the strongest armies in the world. The will to be independent is the main priority for us. And we’re defending our families, our city, our country and our future.
"There is a huge patriotic movement right now. Old people, can you imagine?
"Doctors, actors, actors from the theatre, many professions that never had no expectation to fight, to keep weapons.
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"But right now they are coming to us, they’re ready to fight. It’s amazing."
Russia president Vladimir Putin has been condemned for his actions and the United Nations have called for his troops to withdraw.
Meanwhile, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich announced his plans to sell the Premier League club on Wednesday evening amid risks of sanctions being passed in UK parliament.
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It's believed the billionaire wants a deal struck by Friday.