Klitschko brothers to take up arms against Russian invasion as Oleksandr Usyk returns to Ukraine

Former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko says he will take up arms alongside his brother, Wladimir, to fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while current champ Oleksandr Usyk has returned to the country and called on his countrymen to unite.

Russia began their invasion on Thursday and troops are now closing in on Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirming reports of multiple Russian missile strikes on the capital at 4am on Friday, saying military and civilian areas were targeted.

Zelensky also warned that Ukraine will not stop defending itself until Russia’s attacks end and Vitali Klitschko, who has been mayor of Kyiv since 2014, says he is ready to fight.

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‘It’s already a bloody war. I don’t have another choice, I have to do that. I’ll be fighting,’ the 50-year-old told ITV’s Good Morning Britain when asked if he would be taking up arms against Russia.

His younger brother Wladimir, also a former heavyweight champion known as Dr Steelhammer during his days in the ring, will join him in the fight against Russia and enlisted in Ukraine’s reserve army earlier this month.

Writing on Linkedin on Thursday, Wladimir said: ‘Putin makes it clear that he wants to destroy the Ukrainian state and the sovereignty of its people.

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‘Words are followed by missiles and tanks. Destruction and death come upon us. That’s it, blood will mix with tears… We will defend ourselves with all our might and