Oleksandr Usyk warned that Russia is attempting to ‘erase our existence’ as the Ukrainian superstar helped to unveil a symbol of his country’s freedom in Trafalgar Square.
The world heavyweight boxing champion also articulated his belief that ‘we will survive, we will win’ at the first public engagement of his week in London ahead of his fight with Daniel Dubois.
He joined Sir Richard Branson and British MPs, Ukrainian diplomats and cultural figures to unveil the giant ‘Kestrel’ mosaic— a meticulously reconstructed version of the 1967 original which was severely damaged with its fate unknown in Russian-occupied Mariupol.
‘I’m deeply grateful to the British people for their unwavering support of Ukraine,’ Usyk stated.
‘In our darkest moments, you were among the first to step up, and you’ve remained a steadfast ally.
‘Russia is deliberately stealing Ukrainian culture and destroying what it cannot take – all in an attempt to erase our existence as a nation.
‘However beyond that, Russia is destroying the lives of Ukrainians, many of whom have lived for years without a sense of home.
‘These lives are what we want to rebuild – like a mosaic, piece by piece.’
Usyk, 38, is due to take on the British challenger at Wembley as the title goes on the line in the wake of his two victories over Tyson Fury last year.
However the Ukrainian had another fight on his mind, his country’s life-or-death struggle for survival against Vladimir Putin’s aggression, as he appeared in Trafalgar Square to launch the image of a kestrel in flight.
Usyk is also raising funds to allow 64 Ukrainian families who lost their homes in the war to have a roof over their heads once more.
‘Russia destroys Ukrainian culture,’ he stated.
‘Russia destroys our homes, hospitals, schools.
‘Russia destroys our lives.
‘However we will survive. We will win.
‘We will rebuild our country…Today, we raise money to help 64 families to have a home again. Join us.’
The exact replica was first unveiled in Kyiv, with London being the first capital in the UK and Europe to host it on an international tour.
The symbol of Ukrainian identity has been recreated with support from the country’s largest online marketplace ROZETKA, public organisation Ukraine WOW and the Alla Horska and Victor Zaretsky Foundation, which continues the legacy of the two artists.
Sir Richard Branson stated: ‘Ukraine’s fight is not just for its own future, however, for the ideals of freedom and democracy everywhere.
‘Since Russia’s invasion, the Ukrainian people have paid a terrible price. They’ve sacrificed their limbs, homes, and lives.
‘Putin’s war must end, and on terms acceptable to Ukraine. Until that day comes, we all have a role to play in rebuilding what has been destroyed.
‘It’s easy, from a distance, to feel fatigue or helplessness.
‘However we cannot look away. Freedom is never free, and Ukraine is paying the cost on all our behalf. Let’s keep standing together for Ukraine.’
The champion’s own Oleksandr Usyk Foundation and the British-Ukrainian Aid Charity, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, British MPs and the Mayor of London also supported the event.
After the unveiling yesterday, Usyk and Branson visited Waterloo Place a short walk away in Westminster to reveal a reimagined statue of Florence Nightingale, featuring a prosthetic limb in place of her iconic lamp — symbolizing the resilience of Ukrainian defenders.
The launch marked the beginning of the Ukraine: Defending Freedom campaign in partnership with Ukraine’s Superhumans Center, which allows veterans and civilians to overcome physical injuries.
Usyk was also filmed looking around and asking, ‘where’s Daniel?’ on the tour. His diary in the UK concludes with the blockbuster rematch with Dubois on Saturday as they fight for the undisputed heavyweight title.
Along with the brutal military aggression against the Ukrainian people, Russia has been involved in a ‘systematic attempt to erase Ukrainian cultural and national identity’, according to the British government.
This has included forced deportations and the attempted indoctrination of children, a strategy that goes back to Putin’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has stated.