The world champion in biathlon is fighting in the ranks of Ukraine against Russia.
Dmytro Pidrutshnyi was called to help the National Guard of Ukraine. AOP
The season for Ukrainian biathletes ended when Russia launched an attack on the country last week. Ukrainian athletes were called home for war.
Biathlon World Champion Dmytro Pidrutshnyi is involved in defending his homeland. He reported on the situation three days ago on Instagram.
– We will remain in Ukraine to protect our homes and families from the Russian army that invaded Ukraine on 24 February. We will no longer compete.
Now Pidrutshnyi has told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation NRK about his duties in Ukraine.
– I’m in the National Guard, in the military department. We are helping to strengthen the defense structure and build barricades and fortresses. Our job is to defend our city and help the military do our best, he says.
When the war broke out, the Ukrainians announced they were leaving the biathlon season due to a threat from a neighboring country. Russia and Belarus, meanwhile, withdrew from the Games when the International Biathlon Federation banned the countries from competing under their own flag.
Pidrutshnyi was not allowed to send pictures of his location to NRK, but the man transmitted the information via SMS.
– We are calm and ready for anything that can come. The threat is great, but now the biggest fighting is now taking place in Kiev. In the coming days we will win! Pidrutshnyi wrote to NRK.
Pidrutshnyi won the chase world championship in Östersund in 2019.
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