Retired boxer Alexander Povetkin has defended his native Russia's invasion of Ukraine with a claim they are on a mission to "fight back Nazism".
Russian president Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine last week with the conflict leaving 352 civilians dead, including 14 children, while more than 1600 more people have been wounded, according to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry.
Several Ukrainian boxing fighters including the Klitschko brothers Vitali and Wladimir have taken a firm stance against the Russian attacks and have vowed to defend their country at all costs.
However Povetkin appears to have backed Putin's advances, posting on Instagram : "There is power in the truth. This famous phrase uttered by [actor] Sergey Bodrov today reflects the essence of what is happening in Ukraine.
"We fought for the truth all these years, while Slavs were being exterminated in the Donbass. That's why I'm a member and his decision to stand up for common people, to fight back Nazism, which parasites at whose expense.
"Every war has an end. Let's hope this one end [sic] in the coming days too."
The conflict has entered its fifth day in Eastern Europe and Povetkin has appeared to back his country's recent moves with a picture of himself in front of a Russian flag.
His reference to Bodrov is related to the Russian actor being seen as a symbol of "power" after featuring in films Brat and Brat II, and used his phrase that began the social media post.
Povetkin's recent post also echoed the Kremlin's official line for which they declared war against Ukraine.
His recent description of his stance appears to completely contrast the reaction of other fighters who have shown a defiance to Russian invasion in recent days.
Vasyl Lomachenko has recently listed with the Ukrainian territorial army and taken up arms to protect his country from the Ukrainian invasion.
The Klitschko brothers including Vitali - the Mayor of Kiev since 2017 - have also vowed to defend their country.
Heavyweight star Oleksandr Usyk was recently pictured in the UK as he awaits news of a potential heavyweight rematch with Anthony Joshua.
He was accused of fleeing Ukraine on social media after he made the trip but issued a dismissive response in an Instagram video, in which he said: "Dear Ukraine and dear Ukrainians, some wrote about me running away.
"Not true, I had a work trip and now I’m back. I’m home. Friends, we need to unite together and overcome this, because we are faced with exceptional difficulties.
"I’m very overcome with emotions and I’m very concerned for my country and for our people. Friends we must stop this war and we must do it together."
However he opted to immediately return to his native Ukraine and has now been pictured taking up arms against the Russian assault.
