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Former Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin appears to have justified his home country's invasion of Ukraine in an Instagram post which refers to fighting against 'Nazism'.
Vladimir Putin ordered a military assault on neighbouring Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning and the conflict is ongoing.
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Public figures across the world have voiced their defiance against the war, including sports stars, but Povetkin's views look to be very different.
The 42-year-old posted a messaged to his Instagram page which reads: "There is power in the truth. This famous phrase uttered by Sergey Bodrov today reflects the essence of what is happing in Ukraine.
"We fought for the truth all these years, while Slavs were being exterminated in the Donbass.
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"That's why I'm a member and his decision to stand up for common people, to fight back Nazism, which parasites at whose expense.
"Every war has an end. Let's hope this one end [sic] in the coming days too."
The post also includes a picture of Povetkin stood in front of the Russian flag.
Povetkin retired from boxing last year with a record of 36-3-1 and lost his last fight to Dillian Whyte in March.
Ukrainian boxing icon Vasyl Lomachenko returned to his homeland and enlisted in a territorial army to fend off Russian forces.
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It was believed the 34-year-old went to Greece as the invasion started but he's returned and wants to help his country.
Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, the latter being mayor of Kyiv, have also taken up arms to fight for Ukraine.
The duo appeared in an appeal video last week and asked others to stay united in the face of Russian aggression.
Younger brother Wladimir says: "I’m calling to all international partners to observe this tragedy that is happening nowadays in Ukraine.
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"And this senseless war that is not going to have any winners, but losers.
"I just want to tell you we must stay united against this aggression, against Russian aggression.
"Don’t let it continue happening in Ukraine, don’t let it happen in Europe and eventually in the world.
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"United we are strong, support Ukraine, thank you."
Premier League footballers Vitaliy Mykolenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both Ukraine internationals, embraced prior to Everton vs Manchester City on Saturday evening.
Benfica's Roman Yaremchuk received a standing ovation after coming off the bench in their game against Vitoria on Sunday and broke down in tears after being handed the captain's armband.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Boxing, Russia, Ukraine
