Boxing champion Usyk joins Ukrainian military amid invasion from Russia

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk has enlisted with the Kyiv Territorial Defence in a heroic bid to protect his homeland after Russia launched its devastating invasion, with the heavyweight even pictured toting a large machine gun.

Both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have also joined the military to face up to the Russian forces, with the latter having served as the major of the country’s capital Kyiv since 2014 and made an appeal for other nations to help stop the bloodshed.

They have now been joined by Usyk who, before heading back to Ukraine, was negotiating with Anthony Joshua after stripping away his titles last year. That rematch may even be placed on hold due to the crisis in eastern Europe.

This morning, a Twitter account created to provide updates on the conflict, shared a picture showing Usyk alongside three other soldiers. The boxer was even dressed up in full military gear and was clutching a large gun while looking into the camera.

‘Oleksandr Usyk also enrolled in the SAR,’ the post said.

It is a sudden change in circumstances for Usyk, who was in Sheffield last week to promote an upcoming boxing game. Vladimir Putin then launched his assault, and Usyk quickly faced accusations he had travelled to the UK to avoid the fighting.

Oleksandr Usyk has enlisted with the Kyiv Territorial Defence after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

He was quick to refute this, however, after sharing an update on Instagram.

‘Dear Ukraine and dear Ukrainians, some wrote about me running away. Not true, I had a work trip and now I’m back. I’m home,’ he said. ‘Friends, we need to unite together and overcome this, because we are faced with exceptional difficulties.

‘I’m very overcome with emotions and I’m very concerned for my country and for our people. Friends we must stop this war and we must do it together.’

In a separate video, Usyk, 35, has appealed directly to the Russian people to help bring an end to the violence – making reference to his religion.

He said: ‘Good morning to everybody. My name is Oleksandr Usyk. I’d like to speak to the people of Russia.

‘If we consider ourselves as brothers, Orthodox ones, do not send your children to our country, do not fight with us.

Heavyweight titan Usyk was in the UK at the start of the violence but returned to his homeland

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‘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 any other way.

‘We are defending. Stop this war, stop it. No War.’