FORMER world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has thanked Britain for its support of the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian military aggression.
Ukrainian Klitschko, alongside brother Vitali, has bravely stayed in Kyiv ever since Russia’s invasion started in February.
Their resolute defiance of the Ukrainian people has won plaudits throughout the world, and no doubt surprised a frustrated Vladimir Putin.
This morning Wladimir Klitschko, told Eamonn and Isabel on GB News: “I cannot say it’s a good morning because Ukraine has been invaded for the past 55 days.
“The fights are still going on in the east and the south of the country.
“The city of Mariupol has been fighting back as much as it can but those disturbing images of destroyed buildings and thousands of killed civilians are just still out there, and still repeating.
“The war is going on every day there. It never stopped.
“You can call it genocide because this is a fight against a civilian population.”
Eamonn then stepped in to ask why he had chosen to join the army and risk his life, calling the former world heavyweight champion “amazing”.
But Klitschko replied: “Let me tell you who is amazing: women and men who are Ukrainians are defending this country, fighting back and fighting against this senseless war.
“It’s something that I couldn’t even imagine could happen and it’s the same for every other person in the country.
“One more time: I’m proud of our country’s women and men who stand in arms and fight back against this Russian aggression.
“I personally couldn’t be anywhere else but in Ukraine. Where else could I be?
“I’m Ukrainian. I love my country, and so does every single person here.”
Klitschko then took time to thank the UK, telling the GB News presenters: “I also want to say thank you to Great Britain, for all the support that you guys provide for us.”
It comes as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a “significant part of the entire Russian army” was concentrated on an offensive in the Donbas region of Ukraine.
The area is mostly Russian-speaking, home to Moscow-backed separatists who have declared two independent republics that have been recognised by the Kremlin.
Mr Zelenskyy has been pleading for Western powers to give him greater firepower to fight back, and the UK is poised to respond.
Britain will soon send armoured missile launchers to Ukraine, and the 13-tonne vehicles can be flown to the warzone on C-17 transport planes.
Russia on Monday bombarded the western city of Lviv, where at least seven people were killed.
