Ready To Fight Russia, Former Heavyweight Boxer Vitali Klitschko: No Other Choice, I Have To Go To War

JAKARTA – Former boxer and world heavyweight champion from Ukraine Vitali Klitschko is ready to face Russia. He is willing to take up arms to defend his country from enemy attacks.

Vitali has been mayor of Kiev since 2014. The city he leads has been one of the targets of Russian attacks since Thursday, February 24.

"Have no other choice. I have to fight. I will fight," said Vitali on ITV's Good Morning Britain as reported by the Mirror.

Ukraine has been under attack by the Russian military since Thursday morning. Reportedly so far hundreds of people have been killed and dozens more injured.

The situation there was really tense. Explosions were heard throughout Ukraine, especially in cities such as Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa and Kyiv led by Vitali.

Vitali said his party would work closely with the military and police to secure critical infrastructure as well as electricity, water and gas supplies for Ukrainian citizens. He believes that civilians are also ready to take up arms to defend the country.

"I believe in Ukraine, I believe in my country and I believe in my people," said the man who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Previously Vitali also used social media to send messages of encouragement at a time when everyone was worried for their safety.

"Make sure: Ukraine is strong! The country has a strong capital city #Kyiv, strong cities, villages and solid and united people who value their independence, sovereignty and peace in Europe," Vitali wrote on Twitter .

Launching a military operation into Ukraine made the international community condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, the Russian leader responded with ominous warnings to Western countries. He insisted that any interference would lead to "consequences you've never seen".