Klitschko brothers on Vladimir Putin’s 23-man ‘kill list’ following Ukraine invasion

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also on the list

Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have reportedly been named on Vladimir Putin’s 23-man ‘kill list’ following Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian president ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday (February 24), with several cities having already been hit with military attacks.

One of the cities affected is the capital, Kyiv, where former heavyweight world champion Vitali is currently mayor.

As reported by The Times, 400 highly-trained Russian mercenaries have been sent to the capital city with instructions to assassinate Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

It is thought that several of the mercenaries belong to the Wagner Group, which is a private military organisation with links to Putin. They reportedly flew in from Africa around a month ago and “hefty bonuses for killings” are reportedly being offered as an incentive.

While the Ukrainian president is viewed as Putin’s number one target – with the mercenaries given orders to terminate the government in exchange for a fee – it is claimed that the Klitschko brothers are also on the list of the Russian president’s targets.

Wladimir and Vitali have previously used their respective platforms to urge other countries to support Ukraine in their time of need, and the pair have officially taken up arms to fight against the Russians.

GMB EXCLUSIVE:

'I don't have another choice. I have to do that.'

The Mayor of Kyiv @Vitaliy_Klychko tells @richardgaisford that it is 'already a bloody war' and he is prepared to fight for his country. pic.twitter.com/KvoGP5f92C

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 24, 2022

Speaking about the situation in his homeland, Vitali told Good Morning Britain that he felt he had “no other choice but to take up arms”, while Wladimir has been increasingly active on social media pleading for democracy.

He wrote: “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.