Vitali, who is the mayor of Kyiv, let his brother Wladimir do most of the talking.
“I’m calling to all international partners to observe this tragedy that is happening nowadays in Ukraine, and this senseless war, which is not going to have any winners, but losers,” Wladimir said. “I just want to tell you that 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 potentially in the world. United, we’re strong. Support Ukraine.”
Later Thursday, Vitali said he was willing to take up arms to defend his country.
“I don’t have another choice. I have to do that,” he told ITV’s “Good Morning Britain.”
The brothers’ message was an appeal for partners all over the world to be united against Russia’s invasion launched by President Vladimir Putin. Russian military forces entered Ukraine early Thursday, prompting Vitali and the Ukrainian government to declare a state of emergency for the Ukrainian capital. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law in the country.
Russia’s invasion brought swift condemnation from U.S. President Joe Biden and other world leaders. More than 100,000 Ukrainians have been displaced by the conflict, according to the United Nations refugee agency.
Wladimir also shared this message to Instagram.
“We must face reality and have the courage to draw the conclusions for our future and that of our children,” he wrote. “This is a blatant violation of international law.”
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Vitali, 50, was a silver medalist in the 1995 World Championships. He also fought competitively in kickboxing. He made his pro boxing debut in 1996. A former European heavyweight champion, Vitali attempted but failed to take the WBC, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles from Lennox Lewis in 2003. Following that loss, he went on a thirteen-fight win streak. Vitali beat Corrie Sanders in 2004 for the WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles.
He retired after 2004, but returned in 2008, beating Samuel Peter for the WBC title. Vitali defended the belt nine times, retiring as champion in 2012 following a win against Manuel Charr. “Dr. Ironfist” would then focus on politics, running for multiple positions. He had thoughts of running for president of Ukraine. He ended up becoming mayor of Kyiv in 2014.
Wladimir, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, made his pro debut that same year. He beat Chris Byrd in 2000 for the WBO heavyweight title, defending it five times before losing the title to Corrie Sanders in 2003. “Dr. Steelhammer” would become champion again in 2006, beating Chris Byrd for the IBF and IBO heavyweight titles. He then beat Sultan Ibragimov for the WBO heavyweight title, Ruslan Chagaev for The Ring heavyweight title, and David Haye for the WBA (Super) heavyweight title.
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After beating Byrd in 2006, he defended his titles 19 times. He finally lost the titles in 2015 to Tyson Fury. Returning in 2017, he lost to Anthony Joshua via TKO for the IBF, WBA, and IBO heavyweight titles. Wladimir retired following that fight.
Wladimir enlisted in the Ukrainian reserve army in early February.
