Russian wrestler spotted with an invader fighting against Ukraine (photo, video)
European wrestling champion Anastasia Sidelnikova has found herself at the center of a scandal following the publication of photos of her with Russian soldier Khadizhat Murtazalieva, who is participating in the war against Ukraine. Despite this, the international federation is allowing the athlete to compete in tournaments as a “neutral” athlete.
This was noted by Glavkom on May 14.
Photos from the meeting between Sidelnikova and Murtazalieva were posted on Instagram on May 9, 2026, by another Russian wrestler, Milana Dadasheva.
Murtazalieva herself also posted a photo from the meeting on her Instagram profile.
In May 2025, Russian propaganda media reported that “Dagestani athlete Khadizhat Murtazalieva signed a contract for military service and has been serving with dignity in the ATO zone for over two years.”
“Currently, our affectionately named ‘Khadya’ is serving to defend the Motherland in the ATO zone. Khadizhat is an honest, compassionate, and strong-willed young woman. We are proud of her and eagerly await her return home,” the occupier’s coach, Svetlana Gracheva, reported last year.
— UkrSportBase | Olympics (@Ukrsportbase) May 14, 2026
Read also: International Volleyball Federation reinstates Belarusian teams to competition
As a reminder, the Ukrainian women’s national team triumphed at the World 100-Checkers Championship in France.
Earlier, the Ukrainian national hockey team secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over France in a 2026 World Championship match in Division IA.
The Ukrainian national team suffered a defeat against the Kazakhstani national team in the World Championship in Division IA.
