‘I am in complete fear’ - Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova condemns Moscow’s assault on Ukraine

Tennis player Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has made one of the strongest statements of any Russian sports men and women to speak out against Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, saying “personal ambitions or political motives cannot justify violence". It is a brave comment from last year’s French Open runner-up, as it appears to directly criticise Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine, rather than a plea simply to stop the war. Ad/> The military action in Russia’s neighbouring country is into day five and the United Nations claims more than 100 civilians have so far been killed in the conflict, including seven children, with over 300 injured.

TennisFleeing home and taking up arms — How tennis reacted to Russia's invasion of Ukraine3 HOURS AGO «I've been playing tennis since I was a kid. I have represented Russia all my life. This is my home and my country.

But now I am in complete fear, as are my friends and family,” Pavlyuchenkova said on social media. »But I am not afraid to clearly state my position. I am against war and violence.

Personal ambitions or political motives cannot justify violence. This takes away the future not only from us, but also from our children. «I am confused and do not know how to help in this situation.

I'm just an athlete who plays tennis. I am not a politician, not a public figure, I have no experience in this. I can only publicly disagree with these decisions taken and openly talk about it.