The Incredible Ukrainian Celebrities That Have Taken Up Arms Against Russia As Putin’s Invasion Continues

Amid 'thousands' losing their lives in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a number of celebrities have taken up arms to join the fight.

It's been seven days since Vladimir Putin's 'special military operation' commenced in Ukraine, amounting to a declaration of war. Ukraine estimates 2,000 civilians have been killed, in addition to thousands of Russian troops and incalculable damage from shelling in cities across the country, whether it's Kyiv, Kharkiv or Mariupol.

In the early hours of Putin's invasion, Ukraine's defence ministry and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on everyday people who were willing and able to join the territorial defence forces. That call reached some Ukrainian celebrities, who've put a pause to their lives to help defend their country.

Petro Poroshenko, who served as president of Ukraine until 2019, armed himself with a Kalashnikov and took to the streets last week. 'Everybody should understand, Putin declared a war not for Ukraine. Putin declared a war to the whole world... he's just simply evil to come here to kill Ukrainians,' he told CNN.

Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, brothers and former heavyweight boxing champions, also joined the fight against Russian Armed Forces. Vitali, who's served as mayor of Kyiv since 2014, told Good Morning Britain a 'bloody war' was underway in Ukraine. 'I don’t have another choice, I have to do that. I’ll be fighting,' he said.

'The Ukrainian people are strong. And it will remain true to itself in this terrible ordeal. A people longing for sovereignty and peace. A people who consider the Russian people their brothers,' Wladimir also wrote on LinkedIn.

'The Ukrainian people have chosen democracy. But democracy is a fragile regime. Democracy cannot defend itself; it needs the will of the citizens, the commitment of everyone,' he added.

Oleksandr Usyk, another boxer, has also joined the territorial defence battalion. He had been in London and was planning to fly home a few hours after the beginning of the invasion, but with Ukrainian airports closed, he flew to Warsaw in Poland and drove almost 500 miles to Kyiv.

Speaking to CNN, he said, 'If they will want to take my life, or the lives of my close ones, I will have to do it.

'But I don't want that. I don't want to shoot, I don't want to kill anybody, but if they will be killing me, I will have no choice.'

Vasiliy Lomachenko, the two-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist boxer, has also been pictured armed and in military uniform, having reportedly joined the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky Territorial Defence.

Anastasiia Lenna, a former Miss Grand Ukraine, announced on Instagram she'd be joining the fight. 'Everyone who crosses the Ukrainian border with the intent to invade will be killed!' she wrote.

Kira Rudik, a member of Ukrainian Parliament and leader of the Voice Party, followed soon after Lenna, sharing on Twitter that she was learning how to use a gun in order to help defend the country. 'I learn to use #Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms. It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men. Go #Ukraine!' she tweeted.

Sergiy Stakhovsky, a retired tennis player who stepped away from the game just a few weeks ago, revealed he'd enlisted with the Ukrainian military reserves amid Russia's invasion. 'Of course, I would fight, it's the only reason I'm trying to get back,' Stakhovsky said.

'I signed up for the reserves last week. I don't have military experience but I do have experience with a gun privately.'

Finally, there's Andriy Khlyvnyuk, the frontman of local hip-hop group BoomBox, who was seen on social media sporting military gear. 'I'll take my kids to a safe house, to granny's. And then I'll return to follow the instructions of the government and if it's needed I'll take my gun and go fight for my country,' he told euronews shortly after the invasion commenced.

'Musicians are peacemakers... [but] now it's not time for playing guitars. It's time to take the rifles.'

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information