Georgian basketball star WALKS OUT on his team CSKA Moscow, flees Russia in an anti-war protest 

Basketball star Tornike Shengelia has announced he will be walking out on his team CSKA Moscow in protest of Russia’s war on Ukraine. 

Russian president Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine on Thursday morning, swiftly launching strikes all over the country to the condemnation of the international community.  

‘I made this decision in protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I do not consider possible to continue playing for the Russian Army club,’ Shengelia told Georgian outlet Commersant. 

The 30-year-old went on to confirm he will depart from the Russian capital and join his family in Spain.

He also updated his Facebook profile picture with the Ukraine flag and captioned it ‘Praying for Ukraine! stay strong.’ 

A high-rise apartment block in Kyiv was hit by a devastating missile this morning as fighting continues to rage in the capital, with Ukraine’s civilian death toll now standing at 198 following the Russian invasion.

Shocking footage recorded nearby shows the weapon flying into the building, located near Zhuliany airport, while CCTV recorded from inside also shows the extent of the damage after the site was hit.

Images show the tower block with a hole covering at least five floors blasted into the side and rubble strewn across the street below.

Shengelia also updated his Facebook profile photo with the Ukraine flag in support

Georgian power forward Shengelia joined CSKA Moscow in July 2020 and had a year remaining on his contract

There have been no fatalities recorded from the attack, however, according to an adviser to the interior minister.

The Euroleague recently had a meeting with all the teams that take part and a decision to not host games on Russian soil was made. 

This means CSKA Moscow, Zenit Saint Petersburg and UNICS Kazan will all have to play their home games in neutral grounds. 

Georgian power forward Shengelia joined CSKA Moscow in July 2020 and had a year remaining on his contract. 

He averaged 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 15 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games this season. 

Fighting in Ukraine has entered a third day after a Russian invasion was launched on Thursday