Former World Champ Boxer Klitschko, Chess Great Kasparov Speak Out On Russia-Ukraine Tension

A former world champion boxer and one of Ukraine's most celebrated sportspersons, Wladimir Klitschko is confident that his country will remain strong amid the military escalation with Russia that has caused global turmoil. The 45-year-old great, a former Olympic gold-medallist and someone who held the world heavyweight championship twice in the professional circuit, took to Twitter to send out a message of solidarity for his compatriots as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a military operation in eastern Ukraine.

"Be sure: Ukraine is strong! It has a strong capital #Kyiv, strong cities, villages and a strong solid and united people who value above all their independence, sovereignty and peace in Europe. Its WILL to exist is infinite. Glory to Ukraine!" tweeted the great, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2021.

Earlier this month, he signed up as a reserve in Ukraine's territorial forces.

"Democracy and freedom have no price...Ukraine wants peace, freedom, and sovereignty," he had stated at that time.

"I signed up as a reserve for the territorial forces, for defending the city of Kyiv. Because of everything that is currently going on around Ukraine. The aggression from the Russian side." His younger brother Vitali Klitschko, also a former world champion, is the mayor of Kyiv.

The country is considered a powerhouse in both amateur and professional boxing. Among the active boxers, Vasiliy Lomachenko is a superstar with a two Olympic gold medals besides being a former world champion in three weight categories in the professional circuit.

Even more scathing in his assessment of the conflict was chess great Garry Kasparov, who is now a politician and a vocal critic of Russian