The Main Intelligence Directorate has released new information about Russian athletes competing on the international stage
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has published information on the War&Sanctions portal regarding 11 Russian athletes, coaches, and sports officials who, despite supporting the war against Ukraine, continue to participate in international competitions.
This was reported by the GUR press service.
These individuals are representatives of the Central Sports Club of the Russian Armed Forces, which is subordinate to the Russian Ministry of Defense. According to intelligence reports, this organization not only engages in sports activities but also systematically supports the Russian armed forces—specifically by supplying them with equipment, FPV drones, and gear—and is involved in the military-patriotic education of children.
The Main Intelligence Directorate emphasizes that CSKA athletes effectively represent the Russian Armed Forces on the international stage and are used as a tool for propaganda and the legitimization of aggression.
Among those named:
Olga Zaitseva—a biathlete and deputy of the Moscow City Duma from the “United Russia” party, who, according to intelligence reports, visited the temporarily occupied Donetsk and held meetings with representatives of the occupying authorities.
Elizaveta Ivanova, Nikolai Yarilovets, Elena Krasovskaya, Dmitry Fakiryanov, and Viktoria Meshkova—rock climbers who have visited the occupied territories of Ukraine and continue to compete in international tournaments, including under “neutral” status.
Mykola Monov is the coach of the Russian national Greco-Roman wrestling team.
Sergey Semenov, Sergey Yemelin, Ali Ilyasov, and Erzu Zakriev are wrestlers who are also affiliated with CSKA and have participated in trips to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
The Main Intelligence Directorate emphasizes that Russia uses sports as a “soft power” tool to spread propaganda and attempt to legitimize its aggression.
“Such individuals cannot remain part of the global sports community. Their participation in international competitions, even under neutral status, is unacceptable,” the intelligence agency noted.
As a reminder, former Russian figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva was previously added to the “Myrotvorets” website database.
Earlier, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was added to the “Myrotvorets” website database.
Previously, former striker for the Russian national team and London’s Tottenham Hotspur, Roman Pavlyuchenko, was added to the “Myrotvorets” website database.
