{"id":766,"date":"2025-07-15T12:48:48","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T12:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/?p=766"},"modified":"2025-07-17T12:29:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T12:29:50","slug":"ukrainian-world-champion-oleksandr-usyk-warns-russia-is-trying-to-erase-our-existence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/15\/ukrainian-world-champion-oleksandr-usyk-warns-russia-is-trying-to-erase-our-existence\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukrainian world champion Oleksandr Usyk warns Russia is trying to \u2018erase our existence\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Boxing\t<\/div>
Boxing heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk carried the message for Ukraine as he helped to unveil a giant mosaic in Trafalgar Square (Picture: Action Images via Reuters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oleksandr Usyk<\/a> warned that Russia<\/a> is attempting to \u2018erase our existence\u2019 as the Ukrainian superstar helped to unveil a symbol of his country\u2019s freedom in Trafalgar Square. <\/p>\n

The world heavyweight boxing champion also expressed his belief that \u2018we will survive, we will win\u2019 at the first public engagement of his week in London<\/a> ahead of his fight with Daniel Dubois<\/a>. <\/p>\n

He joined Sir Richard Branson<\/a> and British MPs, Ukrainian diplomats and cultural figures to unveil the giant \u2018Kestrel\u2019 mosaic \u2014 a meticulously recreated version of the 1967 original which was severely damaged with its fate unknown in Russian-occupied Mariupol. <\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m deeply grateful to the British people for their unwavering support of Ukraine,\u2019 Usyk said. <\/p>\n

\u2018In our darkest moments, you were among the first to step up, and you\u2019ve remained a steadfast ally. <\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a><\/strong> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> <\/strong>alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

‘Russia is deliberately stealing Ukrainian culture and destroying what it cannot take \u2013 all in an attempt to erase our existence as a nation. <\/p>\n

‘But beyond that, Russia is destroying the lives of Ukrainians, many of whom have lived for years without a sense of home. <\/p>\n

‘These lives are what we want to rebuild \u2013 like a mosaic, piece by piece.\u2019 <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Oleksandr\t<\/div>
Oleksandr Usyk stands in front of a meticulous recreation of the symbolic ‘Kestrel’ mosaic reflecting Ukrainian self-identity (Picture: ROZETKA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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 <\/a>over Tyson Fury last year.  <\/p>\n

But the Ukrainian had another fight on his mind, his country\u2019s life-or-death struggle for survival against Vladimir Putin\u2019s aggression, <\/a>as he appeared in Trafalgar Square to launch the image of a kestrel in flight. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tWhat is the 'Kestrel'?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

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.<\/p>\n

Yaroslava Gres, co-founder of UKRAINE WOW, said: <\/strong>‘We don\u2019t know the current state of Boryviter in Mariupol \u2014 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.’<\/p>\n

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.’<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018Russia destroys Ukrainian culture,\u2019 he said. <\/p>\n

\u2018Russia destroys our homes, hospitals, schools. <\/p>\n

\u2018Russia destroys our lives. <\/p>\n

‘But we will survive. We will win. <\/p>\n

‘We will rebuild our country…Today, we raise money to help 64 families to have a home again. Join us.\u2019  <\/p>\n

The exact replica was first unveiled in Kyiv,<\/a> with London being the first capital in the UK and Europe to host it on an international tour.  <\/p>\n

The symbol of Ukrainian identity has been recreated with support from the country\u2019s largest online marketplace ROZETKA, public organisation Ukraine WOW<\/a> and the Alla Horska and Victor Zaretsky Foundation, which continues the legacy of the two artists.  <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"World\t<\/div>
Oleksandr Usyk and Sir Richard Branson unveil the faithful recreation of a 1967 mosaic originally made by a team led by Ukrainian artist Alla Horska (Picture: Yui Mok\/PA Wire)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sir Richard Branson said: \u2018Ukraine\u2019s fight is not just for its own future, but for the ideals of freedom and democracy everywhere. <\/p>\n

‘Since Russia\u2019s invasion, the Ukrainian people have paid a terrible price. They\u2019ve sacrificed their limbs, homes, and lives. <\/p>\n

\u2018Putin\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
Justine Simons, Deputy Mayor of London for Culture and the Creative Industries, Oleksandr Usyk, Sir Richard Branson and ROZETKA co-founder Vladyslav Chechotkin stand united in front of the art work in Trafalgar Square (Picture: ROZETKA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018It\u2019s easy, from a distance, to feel fatigue or helplessness. <\/p>\n

‘But we cannot look away. Freedom is never free, and Ukraine is paying the cost on all our behalf. Let\u2019s keep standing together for Ukraine.\u2019 <\/p>\n

The champion’s own Oleksandr Usyk Foundation and the British-Ukrainian Aid charity organised the event, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine<\/a>, British MPs and the Mayor of London.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 symbolizing the resilience of Ukrainian defenders.  <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
The replica mosaic is the centrepiece in London’s Trafalgar Square after a UK-Ukraine partnership brought it to life (Picture: ROZETKA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The launch marked the beginning of the Ukraine: Defending Freedom campaign in partnership with Ukraine\u2019s Superhumans Center, which allows veterans and civilians to overcome physical injuries.<\/p>\n

Usyk was also filmed looking around and asking, \u2018where\u2019s Daniel?\u2019 on the tour. His diary in the UK concludes with the blockbuster rematch with Dubois on Saturday<\/a> as they fight for the undisputed heavyweight title. <\/p>\n

Along with the brutal military aggression against the Ukrainian people, Russia has been involved in a \u2018systematic attempt to erase Ukrainian cultural and national identity\u2019, according to the British government.  <\/p>\n

This has included forced deportations<\/a> and the attempted indoctrination of children, a strategy that goes back to Putin\u2019s illegal annexation of Crimea<\/a> in 2014, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has said.  <\/p>\n

Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact <\/strong>josh.layton@metro.co.uk<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/02\/joseph-parker-drops-huge-tyson-fury-return-hint-reacts-usyk-vs-dubois-decision-23017592\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Joseph Parker drops huge Tyson Fury return hint and reacts to Usyk vs Dubois decision<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><title>Arrow<\/title><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/04\/29\/ukrainian-footballer-who-stayed-to-save-residents-honoured-by-wife-18671584\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">\u2018Fearless\u2019 Ukrainian footballer who stayed behind to save residents is honoured by wife<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><title>Arrow<\/title><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/03\/29\/athlete-fighting-for-ukraine-using-sports-mindset-against-russia-18519084\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Athlete fighting for Ukraine says he uses \u2018sports mindset\u2019 against Russia<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Boxing heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk carried the message for Ukraine as he helped to unveil a giant mosaic in Trafalgar Square (Picture: Action Images via Reuters) Oleksandr Usyk warned that Russia is attempting to \u2018erase our existence\u2019 as the Ukrainian superstar helped to unveil a symbol of his country\u2019s freedom in Trafalgar Square.  The world heavyweight boxing champion also expressed his belief that \u2018we will survive, we will win\u2019 at the first public engagement of his week in London ahead … <a href=\"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/15\/ukrainian-world-champion-oleksandr-usyk-warns-russia-is-trying-to-erase-our-existence\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> “Ukrainian world champion Oleksandr Usyk warns Russia is trying to \u2018erase our existence\u2019”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cost-of-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=766"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":773,"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766\/revisions\/773"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}