Boxing Legends The Klitschko Brothers Added To Vladimir Putin's 24-Man 'Kill List'

The Klitschko brothers have reportedly been added to Vladimir Putin's "kill list" which consists of 24 high-profile Ukrainian figures.

According to The Times, more than 400 highly-trained Russian mercenaries have been sent to the capital of Kyiv to assassinate Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in a bid to overthrow his government.

But Zelenskyy isn't the only person the mercenaries are on the hunt for.

Alamy

A report in The Times says the Ukrainian prime minister, the cabinet and the mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko are also on Russia's hit list.

He told Good Morning Britain he has "no other choice but take up arms".

"I believe. I believe in Ukraine, I believe in my country and I believe in my people," Vitali said.

It's understood Vitali's brother Wladimir is a target too.

The siblings, who are both former boxing world champions, have officially joined the Ukrainian military to fight against the Russians.

"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," Wladimir said via social media.

"It knows that they basically do not want this war. The Ukrainian people have chosen democracy.

"But democracy is a fragile regime. Democracy cannot defend itself; it needs the will of the citizens, the commitment of everyone. Basically, there is no democracy without democrats."

PA

As it stands, the mercenaries - which includes feared private militia the Wagner Group - have been paused conflict in Ukraine under order direct from Putin.

It's understood the Russian President wants to use the break to show that he is currently undertaking negotiations with Ukrainian President Zelensky.

But if those talks do fall through then the mercenaries will get the green light from the Kremlin to take out the people on that 24-person "kill list" with "hefty bonuses for killings" reportedly up for grabs.

Zelensky made a public address late last night, detailing the Russian invasion of his country.

"Today, Russian forces brutally fired on Kharkiv from jet artillery," he said.

"It was clearly a war crime.

"Kharkiv is a peaceful city, there are peaceful residential areas, no military facilities. Dozens of eyewitness accounts prove that this is not a single false volley, but deliberate destruction of people: the Russians knew where they were shooting.

"There will definitely be an international tribunal for this crime - it's a violation of all conventions. No one in the world will forgive you for killing peaceful Ukrainian people."

Topics: Ukraine, Boxing News, Boxing, vladimir putin, Australia, Wladimir Klitschko, Russia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry