How Oleksandr Usyk explained his withdrawal from the territorial defense of Kyiv

On March 25, 2022, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk made a statement about his departure from Kyiv, which was attacked by Russian military invaders.

Usyk posted a video message on his Instagram page.

“Good evening everyone. I have made the decision to start training for a rematch with Anthony Joshua. Thus, I will help my country more and better than I will stand in territorial defense and run around Kyiv with a machine gun,” the boxer said.

“A very large number of my friends called me and supported me in this. Spiteful critics, good to you, and happiness, joy, and peace. Everything will be thanking God and everything will be Ukraine. All the best,” added Oleksandr Usyk.

He also showed a banner behind his back: Hands off Ukraine, Putin.

On February 28, 2022, Andriy Nebitov, head of the Kyiv region police, showed a photo of Oleksandr Usyk with a machine gun.

Then it became known that Usyk joined the territorial defense of Kyiv in order to protect the city from Russian invaders.

Russian invaders shell Kyiv from time to time.

They also managed to occupy a number of settlements near Kyiv.

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an open full-scale war against Ukraine.

In 2021, Usyk defeated Joshua.

Usyk’s friend, former world champion in three weight categories Vasily Lomachenko refused to fight with the undisputed world champion George Kambosos.

Lomachenko also entered the territorial defense.

Read also about the general of the Russian invaders Yakov Rezantsev and whether he really died in Ukraine.