The Klitschko Brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, Have Taken Up Arms To Defend Ukraine Against Russia

ESPN - Former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, said he plans to take up arms to defend against Russia's invasion, which began in the early hours Thursday.

"It's already a bloody war," Klitschko, a Hall of Fame boxer, said Thursday on ITV's "Good Morning Britain." "... I don't have another choice. I have to do that. I would fight."

Klitschko, 50, became mayor in 2014, as well as head of the Kyiv City State Administration. That same year, Klitschko was a leading figure in the protests against closer ties with Russia. And now, as Kyiv is under siege, along with other regions, Klitschko is again at the forefront defending Ukraine along with his brother, fellow former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko -- who is also a Hall of Famer.

Wladimir, 45, enlisted in Ukraine's reserve army in Kyiv earlier this month as the country braced for an attack.

"Now, the Russian president [Vladimir Putin] is using war rhetoric ... he makes it clear that he wants to destroy the Ukrainian state and the sovereignty of its people," Wladimir Klitschko wrote on Linkedin on Thursday. "Words are followed by missiles and tanks. Destruction and death come upon us. ... We will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy."

No matter which way you cut it, this is fucking awesome.

In America, you've got politicians who send the young men and women of the US Armed Forces into battle without a second thought. 

In Ukraine, the mayors, a former Heavyweight Champion, and an ex-husband of Hayden Panatierei (nbd) take up arms themselves.

Even the freaking President is at the front lines like he's Teddy Roosevelt!

Legend is right. Can you imagine one of our many draft-dodging leaders doing this? Not on your life.

Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko are sons of a Major General in the old Soviet Air Force. Crazy ties which says a lot when you think of this whole situation and where they stand. Each of them made pretty great lives for themselves as well as millions as heavyweight boxers. They could be safely living anywhere in the world. But they're side by side with their fellow countrymen taking the fight to Putin.

This isn't Vitali's first rodeo either. 

He's been a LOUD outspoken critic of Putin's forever.

Back in 2014 then opposition leader Vitali tried to calm the crowd near the parliament before clashes broke out, but failed, and was booed out. The fights came after parliament passed a series of undemocratic laws.

Klitschko stood in front of a burned out bus and blown out building fronts while he tried to calm the crowd on a bullhorn but got smoked in the face with a fire extinguisher from a guy who clearly had a death wish.

He stayed the course and eventually was elected mayor of the capital. 

No he’s walking the walk and headed to the front line with his brother to defend his country’s freedom.

p.s. - Vitali is a bad man