Wladimir Klitschko joins Ukraine army to defend against Russian invasion

By Shifaan Ryklief On Feb 4, 2022

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko and his brother Vitali Klitschko have stepped up to assist Ukrainian troops if a war breaks out in a potential Russian invasion.

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has signed up for the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces in Kyiv to assist the troops against Russia. Image: Open Content

CAPE TOWN, February 4 (ANA) – Former world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko and his brother Vitali Klitschko have stepped up to assist Ukrainian troops if a war breaks out in a potential Russian invasion.

Al Jazeera reported on Thursday that the former champion had signed up for the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces in Kyiv and told reporters that it was important to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

Klitschko resides in Kyiv with his daughter. The capital city is located 100km from Belarus where Russia has reportedly deployed about 30,000 soldiers.

“Any parent is going to protect the environment of their child, and there are two ways: you can run, or you can face the challenge,” said Klitschko.

“My choice was to take the challenge,” he said.

Klitschko added that he prays a military conflict can be avoided; however, if the “aggressors come to our country, we do not have another choice”.

His brother Vitali, who is also a former heavyweight boxer and now mayor of Kyiv, was also in attendance at registration and thanked Ukraine’s allies who have assisted and who sent weapons to the country.

He added that if Russia were to follow through on an invasion, they would pay a “very heavy price”.

“We hope our diplomats give all knowledge to stop this aggression in a diplomatic way,” said Vitali.

“If not, we have to prepare to take weapons in our hands and defend the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, the US has accused Russia of planning a fabricated attack by Ukrainian troops as a pretext to invade Ukraine.

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Thursday that they’ve discussed the idea of “false flags” which could include the production of a graphic propaganda video that could show a staged explosion.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher