Former heavyweight boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko has called on “the entire world” to stop Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pressed ahead with a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, with battles raging across the country for the control of major cities.
Klitschko, who enlisted with Ukraine’s reserve forces earlier this month, took to Instagram to post an urgent plea for help from abroad.
“I'm Wladimir Klitschko, and I'm addressing the entire world to stop this war that Russia has started,” said Klitschko.
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“Just today, civilians were shot by the rockets, with special operations, civilians getting killed. And it's happening in the heart of Europe.
“There is no time to wait because that's going to lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.
“You need to act now to stop Russian aggression with anything you can have now. In an hour, or tomorrow, is going to be too late.
“Please, get into action now. Don't wait. Act now. Stop this war.”
Klitschko’s older brother and fellow former heavyweight boxing champion, Vitali, has also vowed to take up arms in defence of Ukraine.
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Vitali, who has also been mayor of Kyiv since 2014, announced on Saturday that a city-wide curfew was being put in place between 5pm and 8am.
“All civilians that are on the streets during the period of the curfew will be considered members of sabotage groups of the enemy,” said Klitschko.
“Please treat the situation with understanding and do not go outside.”
Current world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has also urged Putin to call off the invasion of Ukraine.
In a video posted on Instagram, Usyk said: “My name is Oleksandr Usyk. I’d like to speak to the people of Russia.
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“If we consider ourselves as brothers, orthodox ones. Do not let your children to set out to our country, do not fight with us.
“Also I’m addressing this to the President Vladimir Putin. You can stop this war. Please just sit down and negotiate it with us without claims.
“Our kids, wives, grannies are hiding in the basements… we are here in our own country, we cannot do it other way – we are defending… Stop it!
“Stop this war.”
Topics: Boxing, Heavyweight Boxing, Wladimir Klitschko
Rory O'Callaghan