International Judo Federation Kicks Out Putin As Honorary President Over Ukraine Invasion

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF), the sport's governing body announced on Sunday in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"In the light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin's status as honorary president and ambassador of the International Judo Federation," the IJF said in a statement.

Reuters

The certificate of authority of the Honorary President of the IJF was awarded to Vladimir Putin in 2008.

Putin is a black belt in Judo., and has sparred with Olympians in the past in friendly games.

Putin has long cultivated a tough-guy image and has previously been shown on TV playing ice hockey, handling an Amur tiger, riding a horse, and diving to the bottom of the Black Sea.

Russia has been conducting a military operation in Ukraine since February 23. Some cities are either blocked or captured. Western nations have imposed tough sanctions against the Russian Federation, but they have refused to fight in Ukraine.

Ukraine says hundreds of people have been killed so far in Russia¡¯s invasion, with fighting widespread across the country.

AP

Russia¡¯s President Vladimir Putin ordered wide-ranging attacks on Ukraine on Thursday, hitting multiple cities and bases with air strikes or shelling, and attacking by land and sea.

Health Minister Viktor Liashko said on Saturday that 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed during the Russian invasion.

A further 1,115 people have been wounded, including 33 children, he wrote on his Facebook page.

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