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Wladimir Klitschko alleges Ukraine children are ‘dying by the dozens’ as he posts angry video blasting Putin

Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko are heavily involved in the war effort against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.Photo by AP Images Wladimir Klitschko posted an angry video on Twitter. The former boxer claimed Vladimir Putin was responsible for the deaths of dozens of children. “When he does not take the lives of these angels, he kills their parents,” he said. Wladimir Klitschko is calling on the world to help “stop Putin’s war” in Ukraine as the retired Hall of Fame boxer claims “children are dying by the dozens.”The 45-year-old has regularly been posting videos on his social media channels to provide his followers with updates, from his point of view.Russia’s large-scale military invasion of Ukraine began Feb. 24, marking further escalation to a nearly eight-year conflict.In the days since, Russia has shelled multiple Ukrainian cities, caused the civilian deaths of hundreds — if not thousands — of people, and seized Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant earlier this month.Reuters reported March 10 that Russia’s shelling of multiple Ukrainian cities has left thousands of people trapped. The report claimed Russia bombed Mariupol, which destroyed a maternity hospital.The seemingly relentless situation appears to have left Klitscho irate.”My heart is bleeding,” he said angrily Wednesday. “It is often said that the first casualty of war is truth. Yes, it is. As you can see in Russia.”But you know what? The most unbearable casualties are the children. Children are dying by the dozens now at home, in their houses. Look at these images. They are the concrete and real result of Putin’s special operations, so to speak.”When he does not take the lives of these angels, he kills their parents, grandparents, and destroys their homes and schools.”To attack children is to attack life, civilization itself. If you don’t want to see these images anymore, you must not look away. You must stop Putin’s war now.”Watch Klitschko’s speech right here:—Klitschko (@Klitschko) March 9, 2022Governing bodies are increasing sanctions on Russian athletesNumerous international sporting organizations have responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by sanctioning the country and its sportspeople.FIFA and UEFA said on Feb. 28, for example, that international and club-level sports in Russia will be suspended “until further notice,” CNN reported at the time.This had ramifications for Spartak Moscow, as its UEFA Europa League match against RB Leipzig was canceled, with Leipzig getting an effective bye into the quarterfinals of the competition.The FIA and Formula One, governing bodies for tennis and athletics have imposed sanctions of their own, too.But boxing hasn’t followed suit, as the sport recently confirmed its biggest match of the summer, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez taking on Dmitri Bivol at the T-Mobile Arena on May 7, will go on.ESPN reported earlier this month that Bivol, who was born in Kyrgyzstan but lives in St. Petersburg, said he has friends in Ukraine and Russia.”It’s really said for me,” Bivol told reporters. “Every day I wake up and read the news, and I hope it [war] will stop.”Regardless, Klitschko argued recently that the Canelo vs. Bivol bout should not go ahead. He told BBC 5 Live Radio: “Every Russian representative in this case needs to be sanctioned,” Bivol included.”It’s nothing against the personalities or athletes, it’s about the politics of Russia,” he said. “Because this way we show to Russia that the world is against his senseless war, and there is no good in this war.”Read the original article on Insider
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Written by: adawson@businessinsider.com (Alan Dawson)