Former world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko is gearing up for another fight — this time to protect his city.
The hall of fame boxer and current mayor of Kyiv told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that he would join the city’s residents and soldiers in defending Ukraine’s capital from Russian forces. He said the people of Kyiv have weapons and have become “soldiers ready to defend our city.”
“I don’t have another choice,” Klitschko said. “I have to do that. I will be fighting.”
GMB EXCLUSIVE:
‘I believe in Ukraine, I believe in my country and I believe in my people.’@richardgaisford exclusively asks the Mayor of Kyiv @Vitaliy_Klychko about how Kyiv can be defended against the Russian army. pic.twitter.com/qP4HZseLDf
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 24, 2022
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Klitschko was asked if he believes it is possible to stave off the invasion. He responded by saying he believes in his country and his people. He will be joined by his brother, Wladimir Klitschko, a fellow former heavyweight champion and also a hall of famer, according to ESPN.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been moved to a bunker, according to CNN. The White House declined to provide specifics about his location, though Zelensky did acknowledge that he remains in Kyiv with his central government.
Zelensky said in a video posted to his Facebook account that 137 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and 316 injured since the attack began. He also said Russia has “marked me as target No. 1 — my family as target No. 2.”
In response to Russia’s invasion Wednesday night, Ukraine enacted martial law and banned all men ages 18 to 60 from leaving the country. The invasion has prompted worldwide protests against Russian President Vladimir Putin, including from within Russia. Western nations have also begun enacting economic sanctions against Russia.
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President Joe Biden laid out sanctions against Russia during an address he delivered Thursday afternoon, which included locking out Russia and Russian citizens from global financial systems. Biden described Russia’s invasion as “a dangerous moment for all of Europe, for freedom around the world.”
