Former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko says he will take up arms along with his brother, Wladimir, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reports.
Russia began its invasion on Thursday, February 24, and the country's forces are now closing in on Kyiv, with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky confirming reports of multiple Russian missile strikes on the capital on Friday morning, saying military and civilian areas had been 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, has said he is ready to fight for his country.
"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 said in an interview with UK breakfast show Good Morning Britain when asked if he would be taking up arms against Russia.
Vitali emphasized that Kyiv was under threat and the main priority was to work with authorities and the military to support critical infrastructure, including the delivery of electricity, gas, and water for its people. He said civilians were prepared to defend Kyiv as soldiers.
His younger brother Wladimir, who was also a former heavyweight champion and was known as Dr. Steelhammer when he was in the ring, will join him in the fight against Russia and enlisted in Ukraine's reserve army earlier this month.
Writing on Twitter on Thursday, Wladimir said: "Putin makes it clear that he wants to destroy the Ukrainian state and the sovereignty of its people. Words are followed by missiles and tanks. Destruction and death come upon us. That's it, blood will mix with tears."
He continued: "The Ukrainian people are strong. And it will remain true to itself in this terrible ordeal. A people longing for sovereignty and peace. A people who consider the Russian people their brothers. It knows that they basically do not want this war."
An estimated 100,000 people have been forced to flee as explosions and gunfire rocked a number of cities. More than 100 people have been reported dead as a result of yesterday's invasion, the Independent reports.