Latest news with #ROZETKA
Metro
4 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Ukrainian champ Oleksandr Usyk warns Russia is trying to 'erase our existence'
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 expressed 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 recreated 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 said. '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. 'But 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. But 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. The original 'Kestrel' mosaic (Boryviter in Ukrainian) was created in 1967 by a team in Mariupol led by Ukrainian artist Alla Horska. Three years later, Horska is widely believed to have been murdered by Soviet security forces. In 2022, the symbol of creative freedom was severely damaged during the Russian full-scale invasion. Yaroslava Gres, co-founder of UKRAINE WOW, said: 'We don't know the current state of Boryviter in Mariupol — the mosaic is hidden within a building surrounded by a construction fence. But today, the Kestrel is starting its journey in the heart of London.' Vladyslav Chechotkin, co-founder of online marketplace ROZETKA, said: 'We believe that the Kestrel will amaze, inspire, and give hope that everything lost can be restored.' 'Russia destroys Ukrainian culture,' he said. 'Russia destroys our homes, hospitals, schools. 'Russia destroys our lives. 'But 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 said: 'Ukraine's fight is not just for its own future, but 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. 'But 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. More Trending 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 said. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Joseph Parker drops huge Tyson Fury return hint and reacts to Usyk vs Dubois decision MORE: 'Fearless' Ukrainian footballer who stayed behind to save residents is honoured by wife MORE: Athlete fighting for Ukraine says he uses 'sports mindset' against Russia
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Boxing-Usyk starts heavyweight title week with focus on war in Ukraine
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Boxing - Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk Launches a Fundraiser for the rebuilding of apartment buildings in Ukraine - Trafalgar Square, London, Britain - July 14, 2025 Oleksandr Usyk during the presentation of piece of art destroyed during the war between Ukraine and Russia, reconstructed by Ukrainian business ROZETKA, originally created by artist Alla Horska, as he is launching a fundraiser for the rebuilding of apartment buildings in Ukraine Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley LONDON - World heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk kicked off the big fight build-up in London on Monday with a focus on war in his native Ukraine rather than anything he might face in the ring. The unbeaten 38-year-old takes on Britain's IBF champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday in a rematch for the undisputed title that puts the Ukrainian's own WBC, WBA and WBO belts on the line. Usyk's first public appearance was in the city's central Trafalgar Square to unveil a recreated Ukrainian 'Kestrel' mosaic alongside British entrepreneur Richard Branson. The original artwork, created in the now-Russian controlled port city of Mariupol in 1967, was severely damaged during the invasion that started in February 2022 and an identical copy has been funded by online retailer Rozetka and the Ukraine-wow agency. Organisers say it will tour internationally as a symbol of repair and hope. "Russia destroyed in my city, in my country, Russia destroyed hospitals, Russia destroyed schools, Russia destroyed Ukrainian lives," Usyk told the crowd, thanking Britain for its support for Ukraine. "But we will survive. We will rebuild our country, like a mosaic, piece by piece." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun Singapore Man charged over distributing nearly 3 tonnes of vapes in one day in Bishan, Ubi Avenue 3 Singapore Medical practitioners to record all Kpod cases, confiscate vapes: MOH, HSA Singapore Man allegedly attacks woman with knife at Kallang Wave Mall, to be charged with attempted murder Singapore Singapore boosts support for Timor-Leste as it prepares to join Asean Singapore UN aviation and maritime agencies pledge to collaborate to boost safety, tackle challenges Singapore High Court dismisses appeal of drink driver who killed one after treating Tampines road like racetrack Singapore 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat The boxer then walked, surrounded by bodyguards and a scrum of fans, to nearby Pall Mall for photographs in front of a statue of 19th century nurse Florence Nightingale and the 1853-56 Crimean War memorial. The Nightingale statue was holding a prosthetic limb, painted in the blue and yellow colours of Ukraine, over her usual oil lamp. Branson, who stood alongside Usyk, is a backer of the Superhumans centre specialist clinic in Lviv that treats and rehabilitates war victims. Usyk, who was born in the Crimean city of Simferopol that was annexed by Russia in 2014, also launched a campaign through his foundation to raise funds to build four apartment buildings and house 64 displaced families in Ukraine. The boxer spends time in Ukraine when not training in Spain and frequently references the situation in his country, campaigning for peace. Last month he invited U.S. President Donald Trump to live in his house in Ukraine for a week to help him understand what the country was going through. "Only one week. I will give him my house. Live please in Ukraine and watch what is going on every night," he told the BBC. "Every night there are bombs and flights above my house. Bombs, rocket. Every night. It's enough." Usyk and Dubois will have open workouts on Wednesday, a final face-to-face press conference at Wembley on Thursday and the public weigh-in on Friday. The fight, made by Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season, is live on DAZN worldwide. REUTERS
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Boxing-Usyk starts heavyweight title week with focus on war in Ukraine
Boxing - Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk Launches a Fundraiser for the rebuilding of apartment buildings in Ukraine - Trafalgar Square, London, Britain - July 14, 2025 Oleksandr Usyk during the presentation of piece of art destroyed during the war between Ukraine and Russia, reconstructed by Ukrainian business ROZETKA, originally created by artist Alla Horska, as he is launching a fundraiser for the rebuilding of apartment buildings in Ukraine Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley LONDON (Reuters) -World heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk kicked off the big fight build-up in London on Monday with a focus on war in his native Ukraine rather than anything he might face in the ring. The unbeaten 38-year-old takes on Britain's IBF champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday in a rematch for the undisputed title that puts the Ukrainian's own WBC, WBA and WBO belts on the line. Usyk's first public appearance was in the city's central Trafalgar Square to unveil a recreated Ukrainian 'Kestrel' mosaic alongside British entrepreneur Richard Branson. The original artwork, created in the now-Russian controlled port city of Mariupol in 1967, was severely damaged during the invasion that started in February 2022 and an identical copy has been funded by online retailer Rozetka and the Ukraine-wow agency. Organisers say it will tour internationally as a symbol of repair and hope. "Russia destroyed in my city, in my country, Russia destroyed hospitals, Russia destroyed schools, Russia destroyed Ukrainian lives," Usyk told the crowd, thanking Britain for its support for Ukraine. "But we will survive. We will rebuild our country, like a mosaic, piece by piece." The boxer then walked, surrounded by bodyguards and a scrum of fans, to nearby Pall Mall for photographs in front of a statue of 19th century nurse Florence Nightingale and the 1853-56 Crimean War memorial. The Nightingale statue was holding a prosthetic limb, painted in the blue and yellow colours of Ukraine, over her usual oil lamp. Branson, who stood alongside Usyk, is a backer of the Superhumans centre specialist clinic in Lviv that treats and rehabilitates war victims. Usyk, who was born in the Crimean city of Simferopol that was annexed by Russia in 2014, also launched a campaign through his foundation to raise funds to build four apartment buildings and house 64 displaced families in Ukraine. The boxer spends time in Ukraine when not training in Spain and frequently references the situation in his country, campaigning for peace. Last month he invited U.S. President Donald Trump to live in his house in Ukraine for a week to help him understand what the country was going through. "Only one week. I will give him my house. Live please in Ukraine and watch what is going on every night," he told the BBC. "Every night there are bombs and flights above my house. Bombs, rocket. Every night. It's enough." Usyk and Dubois will have open workouts on Wednesday, a final face-to-face press conference at Wembley on Thursday and the public weigh-in on Friday. The fight, made by Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season, is live on DAZN worldwide. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)
