Wladimir Klitschko Has Enlisted in Ukraine's Reserve Army, Ready to Fight Against Russia

Wladimir Klitschko, a Hall of Fame boxer and former partner of actress Hayden Panettiere, has enlisted in the Ukraine reserve army and is ready to help defend his home country.

The 45-year-old former pro boxer and his brother Vitali Klitschko, who is also a former pro boxer, plan to fight for Ukraine.

Wladimir wrote an article for LinkedIn to express his feelings on the war.

Click inside to find out what he said…

“Now, the Russian president is using war rhetoric in the purest Bolshevik tradition and is rewriting history to justify his redivision of borders. He 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,” Wladimir wrote in the article. “We must face reality and have the courage to draw the conclusions for our future and that of our children. This is a blatant violation of international law. And, if you listen carefully, this war is also talking about Europe.”

He wrote, “We will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy. You can also act. Let not fear seize us; let’s not remain frozen. Putin shoots at Ukrainian cities, but he aims at our hearts and, more importantly, at our minds. He wants to create doubt and confusion and thus inaction.”

ESPN reports that Wladimir enlisted in the reserve army in Kyiv in early February and is ready to fight.

Vitali, who is currently the mayor of Kyiv, spoke out on Thursday (February 24) on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

“It’s already a bloody war,” he said. “… I don’t have another choice. I have to do that. I would fight.”

Wladimir and Hayden are parents to seven-year-old daughter Kaya, who has spent time living in Ukraine with her father. It’s not clear if she’s there right now.