Putin is SUSPENDED from his role as Judo’s Honorary President and Ambassador due to war with Ukraine

The International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s status as their Honorary President and Ambassador.

The 69-year-old is a huge judo fan, even describing it as his ‘favourite sport’ and is a regular visitor to IJF events, including the 2017 World Championships in Budapest and last year’s event in Baku.

Putin and current president Marius Vizer also watched the judo competition together during the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

He was awarded the 8th dan in 2012 by the IJF, becoming the first Russian to reach that level.  

But the sport has opted to distance themselves from the Russian due to the ongoing conflict between his country and neighbours Ukraine.

The federation also recently announced the cancellation of the 2022 Grand Slam in Kazan, Russia, which was planned to be held 20th to 22nd May.

Judo Federation president Marius Vizer said: ‘We are saddened by the current international situation, the result of inefficient dialogue at international level.

Huge judo fan Putin (pictured) suspended due to Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine

‘We, the sports community, must remain united and strong, to support each other and our universal values, in order to always promote peace and friendship, harmony and unity.

‘The judo family hopes that the current unrest can be solved in the last moment, to re-establish normality and stability in Eastern Europe and the world, to once again be able to focus on the diverse cultures, history and legacy of Europe, in the most positive way.’

Russian forces have entered Ukraine’s second largest city of Kharkiv after failing in their overnight efforts to seize control of the capital city of Kyiv.

Footage shared on social media Sunday morning showed Putin’s army trucks rolling through the city of 1.41 million people, which sits in Eastern Ukraine close to the border with Russia.

A Russian military vehicle is seen ablaze in Kharkiv on Sunday morning after troops entered the eastern Ukrainian city 

Soldiers were also seen marching through Kharkiv on foot, with a very dramatic clip showing Russians slowly advancing along a road before running and firing their guns as Ukrainians opened fire on them.

Another clip shared online shows an army vehicle said to belong to the Russians ablaze, with locals saying it had been torched by Ukrainians seeking to defend their city.

Oleh Sinehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional administration, said Ukrainian forces are fighting Russian troops in the city and asked civilians not to leave their homes.

The breach of Ukraine’s defenses came hours after Russia was dealt a significant blow when a column of Chechen special forces sent to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were blown up by locals just two days into their mission.

Chechen special forces sent to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) were blown up by locals just two days into their mission

The armed group – famed for their barbaric violence and human rights abuses – are said to have been obliterated after their convoy of 56 tanks was blown to smithereens near Hostomel, just northeast of Kyiv, by Ukrainian missile fire on the second day of the Chechens’ deployment. 

It is unclear how many died – but the number is likely to run into the hundreds. 

First Deputy Chairman of Kyiv City State Administration Mykola Povoroznyk said: ‘The situation in Kyiv is calm, the capital is fully controlled by the Ukrainian army and the terror defense. At night there were several clashes with sabotage group.’

But Russian forces were seen entering Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv on Sunday morning.