Ukraine’s very own Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov is letting the world know, first-hand, what’s happening in his home country. Amosov, upon Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine, first ensured his family’s safety. The champ then returned to war-torn Kiev to fight against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and this Monday released a video detailing his experiences in Ukraine so far.
“Greetings to all. Wanted to say — well, wanted to repeat — many people talked about this special operation. You’re not saving us.
Bellator Champ Offers Frontline Update from Ukraine: “Terrible things are happening”
We are defending ourselves. Russian troops came to our territory and they talk about saving us? It’s very interesting to me, who did you save in this house? And this is just a fraction of it. It drops [a shell] on orphanages and regular houses. They shoot at civilians.
Terrible things are happening. I don’t understand those people who don’t believe what is going on in our country, they watch their TV and think everything is okay here.
They believe that you [the Russian people] are saving us. You’re not saving us, I don’t know how people of Ukraine will forgive Russia for what they did to our country. And this is not even the end.”
As it stands, over six hundred civilians have died during Russia’s campaign, with the Russian military targeting apartment buildings and even a maternity hospital.
“Many people are dying. I don’t know how you can tell a person who lives in Ukraine what goes on here. I see it with my own eyes, I can hear it — well, I’m sure you guys can hear it.
Our country will defend itself, our country will win. Our people are cohesive and our country is the best country in the world.”
Incredibly, Amosov is not the only professional fighter to join the defense of Ukraine. Professional boxers Vasyl Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk have joined the fight, with Usyk even cancelling his rematch with Anthony Joshua in order to do so.
Yaroslav Amosov is actually expected to defend his title against Michael “Venom” Page at Bellator London on May 13, although the situation may well change between now and then. This is a far cry from the Russian athletes in MMA, where the UFC London main card is in jeopardy thanks to visa issues facing heavyweight Alexander Volkov.
Yaroslav Amosov will doubtless continue the fight in Ukraine and provide on-the-ground updates as to the invasion of his homeland.
