Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, we have seen a wide range of types of protest towards Russia in all walks of life. One of many newest comes from Amon Amarth vocalist Johan Hegg, who has pledged that he is not going to partake in watching upcoming UFC fights after they’ve allowed Russian fighters to proceed competing in occasions.
“So long as @ufc permits Russian fighters to compete and earn a living, whereas kids die in Ukraine, @ufc is not going to get my cash,” said Hegg in a tweet. “I’ve now cancelled my combat move. Athletes signify their nation and regime. Permitting Russian fighters to compete is to assist Putin.”
The message comes prematurely of a March 19 bout within the U.Okay. the place British fighter Tom Aspinall will do battle with Russian heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov within the prime billed combat.
Musicians have taken actions in a wide range of methods. Slipknot, Deliver Me the Horizon, Iron Maiden, Inexperienced Day and My Chemical Romance are among the many acts which have both canceled or postponed upcoming touring in Russia and Ukraine as a result of unstable state of affairs between the 2 nations, every citing their solidarity with the folks of Ukraine whereas some additionally acknowledged their Russian and Belarusian followers who additionally stand for peace whereas their nation continues its invasion.
Simply this week, Common Music Group introduced (per Variety) that it has suspended all operations in Russia as a response to the continuing invasion. asking for “an finish to violence in Ukraine as quickly as potential.”
And shortly after the invasion happened, officers for the Eurovision Music Contest introduced that Russia wouldn’t be allowed to compete within the 2022 competitors happening between Could 10-14 in Turin, Italy.
And music will not be the one place the place rivals from Russia and Ukraine are affected. The NBA has two gamers of Ukrainian heritage. Svi Mykhailiuk and Alex Len issued a joint assertion condemning the invasion of their homeland, stating, “Ukraine is a peaceable, sovereign state inhabited by individuals who need to determine their very own future. We pray for our households, associates, relations and all people who find themselves within the territory of Ukraine. We hope for an finish to this horrible warfare as quickly as potential. Expensive fellow Ukrainians, maintain on! Our power is unity! We’re with you!”
The opposite main sport that includes athletes from both nation is the NHL, which really counts a big variety of Russian-born gamers at the moment competing within the league. The NHL issued a press release additionally condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, urging a peaceable decision as shortly as potential. Additionally they suspended their relationships with enterprise companions in Russia and paused their Russian language social and digital media websites. Plus, they discontinued consideration of Russia as a location for any future NHL competitions.
That mentioned, they’ve additionally expressed their assist for the Russian gamers of their league. “We additionally stay involved concerning the well-being of the gamers from Russia, who play within the NHL on behalf of their NHL Golf equipment, and never on behalf of Russia. We perceive they and their households are being positioned in a particularly tough place,” stated the league.
Talking of that tough place, one of the vital distinguished stars within the NHL is the Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who had beforehand campaigned for Putin. When asked for his thoughts on the invasion, he initially said on Feb. 25, a day after the invasion began, “Please, no extra warfare. It does not matter who’s within the warfare — Russia, Ukraine, totally different nations — we have now to dwell in peace.”
When requested if he supported Russia within the invasion, he responded, “I am Russian, proper? It isn’t one thing I can management. It isn’t in my fingers. I hope it should finish quickly and there is going to be peace in each nations. I do not management this one.”
The hockey star later commented that the invasion had been “a tough state of affairs” for him, including, “I’ve a number of associates in Russia and Ukraine, and it is onerous to see the warfare. I hope quickly it should be over and there is going to be peace in the entire world.”
Whereas many have discovered methods to protest, there are additionally others who’ve thrown their energies into aiding Ukraine whereas the invasion continues. See a number of the acts who’re serving to via monetary and humanitarian efforts right here.
UPDATE: Hegg additional clarified his ideas on the matter in a sequence of tweets.
“I really feel I’ve to make clear my standpoint. I like watching @ufc, and I’ve nothing however respect for the ability and dedication of the athletes competing within the octagon,” said Hegg. “What is going on proper now in Ukraine is a tragedy. It’s the largest warfare we’ve seen in Europe since WWII. Two weeks in the past Putin made an unprovoked assault on Ukraine. A democratic, sovereign nation. In doing so he brought on the largest humanitarian disaster in fashionable historical past.”
He continued, “1.5 million folks has fled the warfare thus far. Putin’s armies are committing warfare crimes equivalent to shelling residential areas, hospitals and even firing on civilians making an attempt to flee. Thus far over 30 kids have been killed on this warfare. Greater than 70 wounded. Putin has repeatedly damaged stop fireplace agreements, mainly luring folks out of their shelters solely to hit them with artillery.”
The singer then added, “Am I offended and annoyed? Sure. This warfare doesn’t solely threaten and have an effect on Ukraine. Putin has threatened to invade Finland and Sweden. He threatens the entire of Europe. Ukraine will be unable to export wheat and different crops throughout the invasion, which may have penalties for Center Japanese and African nations that rely closely on the Black Sea area for meals. World Meals Programme (WFP) govt director David Beasley has warned that the ‘world can not afford to let one other battle drive the numbers of hungry folks even greater.'”
“Putin has threatened the world, together with the U.S. with Nuclear weapons,” he continued. “Is it truthful to focus on Russian fighters/athletes with sanctions? I feel it’s. It’s not that I need to damage them personally, however there isn’t a center floor right here. Athletes have affect. In the event that they don’t need to converse up towards this warfare, then why ought to they escape sanctions when folks really protesting the warfare in Russia, on the threat of being imprisoned or worse, don’t? You don’t must agree with me, I don’t anticipate everybody to take action, however in my view the world has to place sufficient strain on Putin and his regime that he’ll finish this warfare.”
Rock + Steel Bands Serving to Present Help for Ukraine
Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that started in February 2022, a number of rock and metallic bands got here up with methods to supply tangible assist for affected Ukrainians. See some beneath.