Non-government reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Difference between revisions

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine led to widespread boycotts of Russia and Belarus in the areas of entertainment, media, business, and sport.^[1]

Non-governmental organizations, non-political groups and individuals

• Greenpeace posted a picture depicting the statement "No War" and a peace symbol.^[2]
• International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The ICRC deployed one of its largest contingencies to Ukraine, where the organization is active since 2014, working closely with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. The ICRC was active primarily in the disputed regions of the Donbas and Donetsk, assisting persons injured by armed confrontations when open hostilities between Russian and Ukrainian armed forces broke out on 24 February 2022. Thereafter the fighting moved to more populated areas in the Eastern Ukraine. The head of the ICRC delegation in Kyiv warned on 26 February 2022 that neighborhoods of major cities are becoming the frontline with significant consequences for their populations, including children, the sick and elderly. The ICRC urgently called on all parties to the conflict not to forget their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of the civilian population and infrastructure, and respect the dignity of refugees and prisoners of war.^[3]
• The Wikimedia Foundation released a statement on 1 March, calling for "continued access to free and open knowledge" and for "an immediate and peaceful resolution to the conflict."^[4]
• The Georgian Wikipedia changed its logo to reflect the blue and gold coloring of Ukraine's flag.^[5]
• The YMCA launched a global fundraiser to support Ukrainian citizens fleeing the violence. Additionally, the YMCA of England and Wales has released a statement condemning the invasion.^[6][7]
• Servare et Manere – the Slovak non-governmental organization, which is with the support of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic implementing the international Tree of Peace initiative, condemned the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. On 26 February, the organization categorically condemned the evils, injustices, gross violations of international law and the principles of the UN Charter.^[8][9] In 2018 and 2021, the ideas of the Tree of Peace were also implemented in the Russian Federation.^[10][11]
• Alexei Navalny, imprisoned Russian opposition leader and prominent critic of Putin, while on trial for charges that Amnesty International has described as politically motivated,^[12] asked the court to enter into the protocol his statement condemning the attack and saying: "This war between Russia and Ukraine was unleashed to cover up the theft from Russian citizens and divert their attention from problems that exist inside the country."^[13]
• Klaus Schwab and Børge Brende of the World Economic Forum said that they "deeply condemn the aggression by Russia against Ukraine, the attacks and atrocities." and that "Our full solidarity is with Ukraine's people and all those who are suffering innocently from this totally unacceptable war."^[14]
• Author, activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai condemned the ongoing war in Ukraine and called for Russia to immediately halt its attacks on Ukraine.^[15][16]
• Venezuelan Sakharov Prize recipient and human rights activist, Lorent Saleh, expressed his support for Ukraine, saying that "It is an ethical issue to support those who stand up to great tyrannies" and that Putin "will always try to expand his regime using violence, blackmail and terror".^[17]
• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke out against the attacks on the website of their foundation, Archewell, saying "Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same".^[18] As they collected an award at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards ceremony on 26 February, the Duke also acknowledged the people of Ukraine and supported them.^[19] In March 2022, their foundation Archewell made donations to charities that support Ukrainian people, including HIAS (Helping Ukrainian Families Settle), World Central Kitchen, the World Health Organization, and the HALO Trust, as well as media platforms that fight against misinformation such as The Kyiv Independent and Are We Europe.^[20][21]
• Sarah, Duchess of York, travelled to Poland in March 2022 to meet with Ukrainian refugees and help her charity the Sarah's Trust in organising goods donated by UK citizens.^[22][23]
• In Russia, more than 30,000 technology workers;^[24] 6,000 medical workers; 3,400 architects;^[25] 4,300 teachers;^[26] 17,000 artists;^[27] 5,000 scientists;^[28] 1,200 students, faculty and staff of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO);^[29] and 2,000 actors, directors, and other creative figures signed petitions calling for Putin's government to stop the war.^[30][31]

Corporations

• On 8 March 2022, the World Bank approved $723 million help package in loans and grants for Ukraine in support of defending its citizens against the Russian invasion.^[32]

Former politicians

• Tulsi Gabbard stated that the United States is trying to turn Ukraine into another Afghanistan.^[33]
• Gerhard Schröder, former chancellor of Germany, chairman of Russian energy company Rosneft, and friend of Putin, called for an end of the hostilities and to the suffering of Ukrainians, blaming both sides for past errors.^[34][35] In turn, Saskia Esken, co-leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, of which Schröder is a member, called on him to give up his mandates for Rosneft and Gazprom, companies that she named "infrastructure of a bloody war of aggression".^[36] A few days later, Schröder's chief of staff and three other employees resigned from their positions following Schröder's refusal to relinquish their posts, while German chancellor Olaf Scholz joined the criticism on Schröder's mandates.^[37][38]
• Angela Merkel, former chancellor of Germany, said about the Russian invasion, that there is "no justification for this blatant breach of international law, and I wholeheartedly condemn it", wholly supporting her successor Olaf Scholz' actions.^[39]
• Former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko appeared on TV with a Kalashnikov rifle together with the civil defense forces on the streets of Kyiv. He also stated that he believed that "Putin will never conquer Ukraine, no matter how many soldiers he has, how many missiles he has, how many nuclear weapons he has... We Ukrainians are a free people, with a great European future. This is definitely so."^[40]
• Former Prime Minister of France François Fillon, former Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi, former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Aho and former Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern resigned from their positions on the boards of Russian companies as a form of protest.^[41][42][43] Wolfgang Schüssel, another former Austrian Chancellor, remained in the Board of Directors of the Russian energy corporation Lukoil.^[43]
• Former President of Bolivia Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé stated that the Bolivian government's refusal to condemn the Russian invasion constituted a violation of the country's Constitution.^[44]
• Former Presidents of the United States Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama have condemned the invasion. Jimmy Carter said, "I condemn this unjust assault on the sovereignty of Ukraine that threatens security in Europe and the entire world, and I call on President Putin to halt all military action and restore peace."^[45] Bill Clinton said, "I stand with President Biden, our allies, and freedom-loving people around the world in condemning Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine."^[46] Barack Obama said, "People of conscience around the world need to loudly and clearly condemn Russia's actions and offer support for the Ukrainian people. And every American, regardless of party, should support President Biden's efforts, in coordination with our closest allies, to impose hard-hitting sanctions on Russia — sanctions that impose a real price on Russia's autocratic elites".^[47] George W. Bush said, "Russia's attack on Ukraine constitutes the gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II. I join the international community in condemning Vladimir Putin's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine."^[48]
  • Former president Donald Trump praised Vladimir Putin and attacked the Biden administration, claiming Russia's invasion was due to the result of the United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan, policies involving the Green New Deal, as well as alleged election fraud in the 2020 United States presidential election. Trump was widely criticized both by opposing Democrats and by fellow Republican, Utah Senator Mitt Romney for his remarks. Trump later called the invasion of Ukraine "a Holocaust".^[49]
    • Former Trump advisor Roger Stone made pro-Russian comments in March 2022 claiming that Putin was acting defensively due to "dual launch missile pads in Ukraine aimed at the Soviet Union".^[50]
• Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe condemned the invasion: "It is a serious challenge to the international order we have created after the war, and we cannot forgive it."^[51] He also said that Japan should arrange for nuclear sharing with the US, similar to NATO.^[52]
• Former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper condemned the invasion: "No matter how long it takes, this territorial conquest of a peaceful neighbor must never be recognized.... They must be sanctioned, excluded, and punished at every turn."^[53]
• Former President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj has condemned the invasion. "I met my wife there [Ukraine]. My first son was born there. It's a close subject to my heart to look at those cities with such memories. When Hitler's Germany attacked the USSR, Mongolia helped today's Russia with all they could. But for my stance towards a sovereign and free country, IN MY OPINION, the Russian citizens who oppose this war are numerous... We are with the millions of Russians who oppose this war. We support them. On the other hand, we must express our support to the Ukrainian people who are bravely fighting to protect their motherland and freedom".^[54]
• Former advisor to President Vladimir Putin and Kremlin insider Sergei Markov claimed that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was not a "war between Russia and Ukraine, it's a war between Russia and (the) United States puppet who now occupy Ukraine. It's liberation of Ukraine and it's a proxy war of United States against Russia. We believe there's no independent Ukrainian government and this government is wholly under the control of the United States security community."^[55] Markov later admitted that the war in Ukraine was more difficult "than had been expected. It was expected that 30 to 50 percent of the Ukrainian Armed Forces would switch over to Russia's side. No one is switching over."^[56]

Science

• Broadly, many scientists publicly condemned the invasion, some supported further science-related sanctions, and some called for accelerating the renewable energy transition/decarbonization (i.e. for Russian fossil fuels sanctions and due to e.g. increased public acceptance of increased energy prices and uncomfortable energy conservation measures). Few also used or developed Web-based coordination tools.^{[57][58][59][60][61][62]}
• Russian scientists and science journalists posted an open letter, calling the invasion of Ukraine "unfair and frankly senseless", noting that the resulting international isolation would mean "that we, scientists, will no longer be able to do our job normally: After all, conducting scientific research is unthinkable without full cooperation with colleagues from other countries". It was signed by around 7,750 Russians before it became a criminal offense with a risk for up to 15 years in prison to "call the invasion of Ukraine anything but a 'special military operation"' and the website was taken offline.^[63]
• 203 Nobel Prize winners signed an open letter in support of Ukraine, urging Russia to stop the war.^[64] The scientists compare the actions of Vladimir Putin with the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 and Hitler's subsequent invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.^[65]
• NASA said that American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) would continue normal operations despite the invasion.^[66]
• The European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Josef Aschbacher tweeted that he was sad and worried about the aggression and the organization would continue to monitor the "evolving" situation, but would continue to work on all programs including the ISS and ExoMars launch campaigns along with Russia.^[67] On 17 March 2022, the ESA Council unanimously voted to suspend cooperation with Russia on ExoMars.^[68]
• The International Congress of Mathematicians was scheduled to host the 2022 Conference in St. Petersburg in July 2022. Many mathematical societies called for it to be canceled and withdrew delegates.^[67] On 26 February, the International Mathematical Union announced the conference would be moved online.^[69]
• The Allianz der Wissenschaftsorganisationen [de] led by the German Research Foundation DFG and including the German Rectors' Conference issued a statement to freeze all collaborations with Russian institutions and business companies and to stop all joint scientific events, new collaborations should not be initiated either. Moreover, they will continue cooperation with Ukrainian institutions and support students and scientists who have to leave their country because of the Russian invasion.^[70]
• In a meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Russian head of delegation Oleg Anisimov, a scientist at the State Hydrological Institute, apologized on behalf of the Russian people, denounced the invasion as unjustified, and expressed admiration towards the Ukrainian delegation for continuing to participate in conferences. The comments came after his Ukrainian counterpart Svitlana Krakovska made a speech connecting the war to climate change and called for an end to fossil fuel dependency. Anisimov's declaration was described as a rare rebuke of the invasion by a Russian government official, although he clarified to AFP that his statements "expressed my personal opinion and attitude," and should not be taken as an "official statement of the Russian delegation".^[71][72]
• The Venezuelan Academy of Physical, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences rejected Nicolás Maduro's position of support to Vladimir Putin and expressed its solidarity with the Ukrainian people after the invasion.^[73][74]

Religious institutions

• The Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius I (Orthodox Church of Ukraine) condemned the invasion and exhorted Ukrainians to fight against the Russian aggression, invoking God's help to win the battle.^[75]
• The Major Archbishop of Kyiv and Halych Sviatoslav Shevchuk (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) also condemned the invasion and wrote in the Ukrayinska Pravda that protecting the Motherland was a natural right and a civic duty.^[76]
• Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv, primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), stated that Russia had started military actions against Ukraine and urged Ukrainians to show love for their homeland and each other. He also appealed directly to Putin to ask for an immediate end to the "fratricidal war".^[77][78]
• Around 500 Eastern Orthodox scholars signed a Declaration on the "Russian World" Teaching on 13 March 2022, calling it an "ideology" that underpins the invasion, "a heresy" and "a form of religious fundamentalism" that is "totalitarian in character."^[79] Using biblical texts to support their declaration, they condemned six "pseudo theological facets".^[80]
• Pope Francis tried to mediate between the two countries, while strongly condemning "the diabolical senselessness of the violence."^[81][82] After inviting all the Catholic bishops and all the more than one billion Catholics to participate,^[83] Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in connection with a famous 1917 apparition of the Virgin Mary which asked for this consecration for the "conversion of Russia," so that "a period of peace" in the world will ensue.^[84][85] A communiqué from the Vatican Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, without naming Putin, said that while the worst-case scenario was unfolding, "there is still time for goodwill, there is still room for negotiation, there is still room to exercise a wisdom that prevents partisan interests from prevailing, that protects the legitimate aspirations of all and spares the world the folly and horrors of war".^[86] The previous day Pope Francis urged politicians to make an exercise of conscience before God for their actions over Ukraine and declared 2 March, Ash Wednesday, as an international day of fasting and prayer for peace.^[87]

• 

  The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I condemned the invasion, expressing deep sorrow, as well as his support for Ukraine and stated that "he prays to the God of love and peace to enlighten the leadership of the Russian Federation, in order to understand the tragic consequences of its decisions".^[88]
• Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' (Russian Orthodox Church) expressed "heartfelt pain" at "events taking place" after Russia launched the attack and called "on all parties to the conflict to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties". He added that he "call[s] on all parties to the conflict to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties" and asks the Moscow Patriarchate "to raise a deep and fervent prayer for the rapid restoration of peace". Kirill also appealed to the bishops, pastors, monastics, and laity to "provide all possible assistance to all victims, including refugees and people left homeless and without means of livelihood".^[89][90] He called for the "speedy restoration of peace".^[89][90] Three days later Patriarch Kirill also referred to Moscow's opponents in Ukraine as "evil forces", stating "we must not allow dark and hostile external forces to laugh at us."^[91][92] Those statements of Kirill on the invasion have been seen as pro-Putin and providing historical and religious justification to the war.^{[93][94][95][92]}
• Metropolitan Yevgeny, primate of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, signed a statement condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.^[96]
• In a joint statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell defined the invasion as a "great evil", calling for a public decision to choose the path to peace and an international conference to formulate agreements for long-term stability and peace while supporting the Pope's proposal for a global day of prayer and fasting for peace.^[97]

• 

  Metropolitan Hilarion Kapral, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, issued a statement where he did not acknowledge the war but inviting the faithful to "refrain from excess watching of television, following newspapers or the internet" and "close their hearts to the passions ignited by the mass media."^[98] In the statement, he used the term the Ukrainian land instead of Ukraine, a move seen as a deliberate denial of Ukraine's independence and sovereignty.^[98] Hilarion has close ties to the Kremlin and to Vladimir Putin, from whom he was awarded the Order of Honour and the Order of Alexander Nevsky.^{[99][100][101][102]}
• Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodore II expressed his support for the Ukrainian people. He made it clear that the Patriarchate of Alexandria immediately condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[103]
• Patriarch of Serbian Orthodox Church Porfirije announced that Serbian Orthodox Church will be sending help, to our brothers in Ukraine'' and that all donations in the temples that are collected these days will be sent to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its Metropolitan, who will help deliver them where needed^[104]
• Patriarch of Georgian Orthodox Church Ilia II appealed for an end to the hostilities in Ukraine. In his Twitter message, Ilia stated: "The hostilities in Ukraine must be stopped as soon as possible; otherwise, they will develop into a world tragedy!"^[105] On Saturday, 26 February, the Patriarchate of Georgia published another letter, in which Ilia addressed the clergy and the people of the country, and invited them to daily prayer for Ukraine.^[106]
• Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar spoke out against the invasion, called Russia to withdraw and for an end to the war, and offered to mediate.^[107][108] American Rabbi Shmuley Boteach wrote an article in The Jerusalem Post with the sub-heading: "Vladimir Putin is important to world Jewry, but this does not change the fact that the Russian president is a monster."^[109]
• The umbrella organizations Eurodiaconia [fr] and the European Humanist Federation also issued statements condemning the invasion and calling for peace.^[110][111]
• The spokesperson of the Patriarch of All Romania (Romanian Orthodox Church) Vasile Bănescu harshly criticized Putin and Patriarch Kirill, referring to them as "an opulent resigning patriarch from a moral and Christian point of view through his cynical complicity with the assassin politician and through his association with the most hideous things that the antichrist man, who mimics faith in God and patriotism, is capable of committing with atrocities". He also described the war as "terrible" and "unjust" and against "the life of a free people" and declared that "even when the devil deceives the reality before us, we always have a duty to discern and confess the truth".^[112]
• The Dalai Lama condemned the invasion and called for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.^[113]
• A Russian Orthodox Church in Amsterdam, announced it is to split with the Moscow patriarchate over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.^[114]

Hacking groups

Anonymous

• The hacking group Anonymous condemned the invasion; the group tweeted on 24 February that it is "currently involved in operations against the Russian Federation", and declared on Twitter less than an hour later that it was "officially in cyber war against the Russian government". The group later, in its set of two tweets, claimed "while people around the globe smash your internet providers to bits, understand that it's entirely directed at the actions of the Russian government and Putin". Furthermore, they had hacked several Russian websites and industrial control systems such as Modbus devices and emphasized that "Anonymous is not a group, not a country, but an amorphous idea. It flows like air, like water, like everything. Let it be known that since its inception, Anonymous never have restrictions that say that only homo sapiens can be part of it."^{[115][116][117]}
• In a defaced Russian website, Anonymous threatened that any further cyber attacks will be "precipitated by Russia's continued failure in recognizing the territorial aggression in itself is nothing but a relic of dark ages in the distant past".^[115][117]
• On 26 February 2022, several accounts on Twitter claiming to be affiliated with Anonymous stated the group hacked and took down the Kremlin's official websites in a series of cyber attacks. Some of the websites hit by the attacks included the Russian Center for the Protection of Monuments, which was turned into a rogue page which included Ukrainian colors and the pop-up message: "WE ARE ANONYMOUS! WE ARE LEGION! WE DO NOT FORGIVE! WE DO NOT FORGET! EXPECT US!" On such page, Anonymous claimed to commence "Operation Samantha Smith", which involved hacking a Russian Linux terminal and a gas control system in North Ossetia, almost succeeding. Anonymous stated that by changing the dates, the gas pressure almost caused an explosion (which the group phrased as "turning into fireworks"), but did not because of a fast-acting human worker at the gas control system. The page, which has been archived on the Internet Archive, contained a long line of text in English and Russian proposing a neutral security belt composed of Ukraine, Finland, and Georgia, among other countries, as well as YouTube videos of President Zelenskyy, screenshots of the gas controller during the hack, clips from the ending of the movie The Matrix, a video message from Anonymous itself mirroring some of the details posted to the website, and the "WE ARE ANONYMOUS" pop-up message repeated. The Russian government denied it was hacked by the group.^[118]
• That same day, RT was attacked by Anonymous by a distributed denial-of-service attack involving over 100 million mostly American devices. RT acknowledged the attack, unlike the Kremlin, and stated that the attack occurred after Anonymous "declared war" on Russia.
• Anonymous is also believed to be responsible for hacking several Russian state TV channels; many users on Twitter and TikTok uploaded videos showing channels playing Ukrainian music and displaying pro-Ukraine images, flags, and symbols.^[119]

Culture

• Cultural heritage organization Europa Nostra, the European Association of Archaeologists, the European Union National Institutes for Culture, J. Paul Getty Museum and the Network of European Museum Organisations also issued statements condemning the invasion and calling for peace.^{[120][121][122][123][124]}
• Plans to import coal from Russia for various steam heritage railways in Great Britain, including the Talyllyn Railway and North Yorkshire Moors Railway have been scrapped in favour of coal from Kazakhstan, Columbia and Poland.^[125]

Broadcast media

• The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) initially stated that Russia would still be allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, but that it would "continue to monitor the situation closely."^[126] However, on 25 February, following complaints levied by other participating countries, the EBU announced that Russia would not be allowed to compete in the contest, stating that "the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year's Contest would bring the competition into disrepute."^[127][128]
• American actor/director Sean Penn is currently in Ukraine filming a documentary about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[129] On 25 February 2022, Penn stated that "If we allow it [Ukraine] to fight alone, our soul as America is lost."^[130]
• American sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live opted to forgo the show's usual comedic cold open; instead, cast members Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong introduced the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York, who performed "Prayer for Ukraine". The cold open ended with McKinnon and Strong solemnly saying the show's opening catchphrase behind a table with candles spelling out "Kyiv". This was only the sixth time the show has broken format for the cold open in light of recent events, after the 11 September attacks in 2001, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, the November 2015 Paris attacks, Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 United States presidential election, and the 2017 Las Vegas shootings.^[131]
• Annual Glasgow Film Festival decided to pull two Russian movies, No Looking Back directed by Kirill Sokolov and The Execution directed by Lado Kvataniya from the festival, stating that "it would be inappropriate to proceed as normal with these screenings in the current circumstances". The organizing committee stated that film tickets would be refunded in the next 24 hours for those who had bought the tickets.^[132]
• The Simpsons' official Twitter account posted a photo of main characters Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie all holding or donning Ukrainian flags. Showrunner Al Jean commented "We don't do this very often, only very rarely when there's something... extremely important for a cause that could not be bigger."^[133]
• At the initiative of Patricia Schlesinger (RBB/ARD) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), more than 200 German radio stations and more than 150 public radio broadcasters from 25 European countries simultaneously aired John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's anti-war song "Give Peace a Chance" at 8:45 CET on Friday 4 March.^{[134][135][136][137]}

Dance

• The Royal Opera House in London canceled a planned summer tour by Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet.^[138]
• Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, who was raised in Kyiv, postponed the world premiere of Art of the Fugue, originally scheduled for 30 March at the Bolshoi Ballet, indefinitely. He also said he will not return to St. Petersburg to complete his production of The Pharaoh's Daughter for the Mariinsky Ballet, which planned to premiere the production in mid-May. He stated he will not return to Russia if Putin is still president.^[139]
• French ballet master Laurent Hilaire, the director of dance at Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre, resigned over the invasion.^[140]
• Russian ballerina Olga Smirnova denounced the invasion and stated that she was ashamed of Russia. She then left her position as principal dancer of Bolshoi Ballet and joined the Dutch National Ballet. She had already planned to leave Bolshoi but accelerated the move due to the invasion.^[141]
• Several foreign dancers at Bolshoi and Mariinsky, including Xander Parish, Jacopo Tissi and David Motta Soares, left Russia.^[141][142]

Lighting of landmarks

The landmarks lit up in Ukrainian colors included: The Empire State Building, the New York State Assembly, the Pennsylvania State Capitol, the Missouri State Capitol, the Niagara Falls, CN Tower, 3D Toronto sign, downtown Dallas skyline including Reunion Tower and Omni Dallas Hotel, Calgary Tower, the Memorial Bridge, the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, the Acosta Bridge, the Zakim Bridge, the Terminal Tower, the Obelisco de Buenos Aires, the London Eye, the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Brandenburg Gate, the Fisherman's Bastion, the Palazzo Marino, Cybele Palace, Nelson's Column, the Ludwigsburg Palace, the Øresund Bridge, the Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower, St Andrew's House, Wembley stadium, the Crown Buildings, the Senedd building, the SIS Building, 10 Downing Street, St George's Hall, the Royal National Theatre, Ely Cathedral, Blackpool Tower, Somerset House, the Oxo Tower, Bratislava Castle, Grassalkovich Palace, Petřín Lookout Tower, Sarajevo City Hall, the Mole Antonelliana, the Belém Palace, Stenbock House, Palace of Culture and Science, Cotroceni Palace, Vukovar water tower, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Sebitseom, the N Seoul Tower, Taipei 101, Kaohsiung Music Center, numerous landmarks in Melbourne including Flinders Train Station, the Sydney Opera House, as well as ministries of foreign affairs in Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, and the United Kingdom.^{[143][144][145][146]}

Music

• Russian rapper Oxxxymiron announced he would cancel six concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg in response to the invasion.^[147] He later said that it was impossible to hold an anti-war concert in Russia because "total censorship has been implemented, and anyone who speaks out against the war in any way becomes a potential target for criminal prosecution."^[148]

• 

  Mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter stated on 25 February that he would remove Valery Gergiev as conductor of the Munich Philharmonic unless Gergiev publicly condemned the Russian invasion before 28 February. Gergiev has previously been vocal in support of Russian President Putin.^[149] Similarly, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra said that it would drop Gergiev from its September festival if he did not stop supporting Putin. Milan's La Scala also sent a letter to Gergiev asking him to declare his support for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine or he would not be permitted to complete his engagement conducting Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades. This followed an announcement by New York City's Carnegie Hall that it had canceled two May performances by the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra that were to be conducted by Gergiev and the Vienna Philharmonic dropped Gergiev from a five-concert tour in the U.S. that was to start on 25 February.^[138][150] Gergiev did not comply with the ultimatum from the mayor of Munich, who dismissed him on 1 March.^[149]
• Green Day announced on 27 February that they were canceling the Moscow concert scheduled for 29 May on the grounds that "we are aware that this moment is not about stadium rock shows, it's much bigger than that."^[151]
• Russian Semyon Bychkov, music director of the Czech Philharmonic, issued a statement critical of Putin.^[138]
• The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic dedicated performances in light of the invasion.^[138]
• The Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra, who planned to perform a few of Tchaikovsky's pieces on 18 March, changed its schedule to perform works by John Williams, Dvorak and Elgar, saying in a statement that it would be "inappropriate at this time" to perform Tchaikovsky's music at this period, and also noting that some of Tchaikovsky's pieces are deemed offensive to Ukrainians. They however have no plans to change their summer and autumn programmes which include pieces by other Russian composers such as Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev and Rimsky-Korsakov.^[152]
• English indie rock band alt-J cancelled all their gigs in Russia scheduled to be held in the summer and called on Putin to end the war.^[153]
• Ukrainian metalcore band Jinjer cancelled their spring North American tour in order to focus on relief efforts. On 4 March, the band announced two exclusive t-shirt designs. Proceeds from these sales would support Ukrainian charitable organizations.^[154]
• English singer and rock band Sir Elton John and Deep Purple separately announced that they will never perform in Russia ever again. Deep Purple also has cancelled two concert in Megasport Sport Palace, Moscow and Palace of Sports, Kyiv scheduled on 31 May and 4 June.^[155] In addition, English heavy metal band Iron Maiden has also cancelled their tour in Russia and Ukraine scheduled on 29 May and 1 June.^[156]
• English rock band Pink Floyd removed music from streaming platforms in Russia and Belarus.^[157]
• Vancouver Recital Society has cancelled the performance of Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev that was scheduled to perform in August. However, Vancouver Recital Society artistic director Leila Getz said that the concert was simply "postponed" instead of cancelled. Malofeev himself later stated that "every Russian will feel guilty for decades because of the terrible and bloody decision that none of us could influence and predict." on his Facebook page.^[158]
• Canadian rock band Sum 41 cancelled their performance in a music festivals in both Russia and Ukraine.^[159]
• Numerous jazz musicians united to held a concert as form of solidarity with Ukraine scheduled to be held on 13 March in Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone, London.^[160]
• Russian soprano Anna Netrebko withdrew from future performances with the Metropolitan Opera. Netrebko stated that she opposed the "senseless war of aggression" but stated that she will not renounce her support for President Putin.^[161] On 14 March 2022, the Metropolitan Opera hosted a benefit concert with all proceeds going to relief efforts in Ukraine, with Sergiy Kyslytsya, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations in attendance.^[162]
• UK television channels ITV and STV broadcast a charity concert called Concert for Ukraine on 29 March 2022 with proceeds going to the Disasters Emergency Committee.^[163] ITV said within less than one day of the broadcast, the concert raised more than £13.4 million.^[164]

Social media

• The phrase "World War III" and hashtag "#WWIII" trended on Twitter as the invasion began, due to fears the conflict could draw in NATO members into a larger war with Russia, as well as memes joking about the situation.^[165] The phrase previously trended after the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in January 2020 sparked fears of a potential war between the United States and Iran.^[166]

Video games

Sports

Following the invasion, multiple events were either moved, suspended, or cancelled. UEFA, the European association football governing body, announced that the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final would be moved from Saint Petersburg to Paris.^[215] The Russian Grand Prix for the 2022 Formula One Championship was suspended^[216] and it was cancelled on 1 March.^[217] The International Federation of Sport Climbing announced the suspension of the Boulder and Speed World Cup in Moscow, 1–3 April, with intent to relocate and reschedule the event.^[218] The International Ski Federation announced that all remaining events in Russia were cancelled.^[219] The World Curling Federation announced that the 2022 European Curling Championship, scheduled for 19–26 November, will no longer be held in Perm.^[220] The ATP chose to move the St. Petersburg Open tournament.^[221] On 27 February 2022, FINA announced that they withdrew Russia's hosting rights for the 2022 World Junior Swimming Championships.^[222] On 1 March 2022, the International Volleyball Federation withdrew Russia's hosting rights of the 2022 Men's World Championship scheduled for August and September.^[223]

Individual athletes, teams, and organizations

The invasion affected Ukraine's participation at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing, China, with International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons describing transporting the Ukrainian team to Beijing as being an enormous challenge.^[224][225] On 2 March 2022, Parsons confirmed the team should be able to compete at the Games.^[226]

Russians

Some Russian athletes made deliberately ambiguous statements for peace, without directly mentioning the Russian invasion. Russian NHL player Alex Ovechkin, the captain of the Washington Capitals, pleaded for "no more war".^[227] However, Czech former Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators goaltender Dominik Hašek responded to Ovechkin and criticized him for his past support of Putin, stating "What!? Not only an alibist, a chicken shit, but also a liar!", while also calling on the NHL to suspend all Russian players.^[228] Russian figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva called for "this all [to end] as soon as possible, like a bad dream". Russian tennis players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev called for peace between nations,^[229] while five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova said that she opposed the war and called for an end of Putin's invasion. Sharapova also pledged to give donations to Ukraine.^[230] Even after Medvedev called for peace, he received backlash at the Indian Wells.^[231] Russian chess player Ian Nepomniachtchi made a more concrete statement, tweeting: "History has seen many Black Thursdays. But today is blacker than the others. #saynotowar".^[232]

His teammate Sergey Karjakin supported Russia's invasion, however, and released a message approving of Putin's actions; he will face FIDE's Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for his comments and is no longer welcome at the 2022 top tournaments Norway Chess, London Chess Classic, and Grand Chess Tour.^{[233][234][235]} Russian chess grandmaster and longtime Putin critic Garry Kasparov denounced the invasion.^[236] 32 Russian chess players, among them Nepomniachtchi, women's world rapid champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, and grandmasters Daniil Dubov and Peter Svidler appealed directly to Putin to stop the war.^[237] Former Russian Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat said he did not support the war and hoped for a peaceful solution, but Kvyat also stated its an "unfair solution" to ban all Russian athletes.^[238] Nikita Mazepin, who drove for the Haas, tweeted that he was "not in control over a lot of what is being said and done".^[239] Mazepin has been accused of effectively buying his place onto a team thanks to his father Dmitry Mazepin's oligarch status and ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his sponsorship of the team.^[240][241] Alexander Smolyar, the only Russian in Formula One's support series Formula 3, withdrew from the 2022 season, after his major backer SMP Racing refused to accept the FIA's code of conduct regarding the participation of Russian competitors and also ending their European program.^[242] Smolyar however later reversed his decision and took part in the season-opening race in Bahrain under a neutral license.^[243] Russian team G-Drive Racing announced that they will withdraw from FIA World Endurance Championship after team principal Roman Rusinov's refusal to accept the FIA code of conduct on Russian racing drivers.^[244] W Series announced than Russian driver Irina Sidorkova has been suspended from competing until further notice.

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak wore a "Z" sticker during a gymnastics World Cup event during the medal ceremony in support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine; "Z" is commonly used as a pro-war symbol by the Russian army in Ukraine and could mean, among other things, Za pobedy (for the victory).^[245] Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea F.C, relinquished running of the club to the trustees of the club charitable foundation following calls for him to be sanctioned due to his links with Putin and the Russian state, while still retaining ownership of the club.^{[246][247][248]} Some Russian well-known figure skaters including Nikita Katsalapov, Victoria Sinitsina, Evgenia Tarasova, and Vladimir Morozov were seen attending the pro-war rally held by Putin.^[249]

Ukrainians

Various high-profile Ukrainian sportspersons joined the fight against the Russian invasion. On 25 February 2022, Ukrainian brothers Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko, both former heavyweight champions, announced their intent to join and take arms alongside the Ukrainian Army.^[250] On 27 February 2022, after traveling back to Ukraine, Ukrainian former world champion in three weight classes Vasiliy Lomachenko joined the territorial defense battalion of his hometown of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi.^[251] Shortly after, Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk also announced that he was joining a Ukrainian territorial defense battalion on 28 February 2022.^[252] The NBA's two Ukrainian players, Alex Len of the Sacramento Kings and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk of the Toronto Raptors, both condemned the invasion.^[253] The Ukrainian fencing team was disqualified from the 2022 Fencing World Cup in Cairo, after it refused to face Russia in the quarter-finals.^[254] Ukrainian former tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky said that he has been enlisted to the Ukrainian reserve's army and will fight to repel the Russian invasion, while fellow tennis star Dayana Yastremska announced that she will donate the prize money she won from WTA Lyon Open to help those in need during the war efforts.^[255][230] The Ukrainian Winter Paralympics team who were competing in the 2022 Winter Paralympics gathered for a rally in the Olympic Village in Beijing calling for peace.^[256] A group of Ukrainian footballers Oleksandr Zinchenko, Andriy Shevchenko, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Viktor Tsyhankov condemned the war on Instagram; Zinchenko also wished death on Putin which was taken down by Instagram later, while Yarmolenko has called for the Ukrainian people to unite against the invasion and support the army.^[257][258] After participating in the 2022 Winter Olympics, Ukrainian biathlete Dmytro Pidruchnyi joined the Ukrainian military to fight the Russian invasion in the country.^[259] Ukrainian former pair skater who currently represents Germany Aljona Savchenko slammed 4 Russian figure skaters for attending the pro-war rally, saying that she was "speechless" seeing the quartet were seen attending the rally, and calling it inhumane.^[249]

Auto racing

The invasion raised concerns from Formula One drivers, including Red Bull Racing Belgian-Dutch driver and reigning champion Max Verstappen, Aston Martin German driver and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, and Scuderia AlphaTauri French driver Pierre Gasly, with Vettel threatening to boycott the race in Sochi should the race go as planned.^[260] Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton wrote on Instagram sympathizing Ukraine citizens and standing with Russian citizens who "oppose this violence and seek peace, often at risk to their own freedom."^[261]

Former chief executive of Formula One Group Bernie Ecclestone slammed the decision to ditch the race in Sochi saying that it "does not make sense" saying that it would not affect anyone at all. Ecclestone also stated that the sporting sanctions is not going to punish Russia at all and won't make Putin change his mind.^[262]

Finnish rally driver Kalle Rovanperä paid tribute to the people suffering in Ukraine after winning the Rally Sweden saying that he did not feel like celebrating too much and hoping the Ukrainian people to find the strength to face these difficult times.^[263]

Before the beginning of the season-opening Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix, MotoGP riders posed for their traditional 'back-to-school' photo on Thursday behind a banner proclaiming "United for Peace" in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. MotoGP six-time champion Marc Marquez condemned the invasion, admitting that the sport can offer its support to the people of Ukraine but also decried that the sporting bodies' support for Ukraine is not enough, stating "There are people much more important than us that must stop this,".^[264][265]

Former NASCAR Cup Series driver and current owner of Richard Childress Racing, American Richard Childress, announced on Fox News TV that he would donate one million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine.^[266]

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Stefan Parsons announced that he would drive a special "Ukraine Strong" paint scheme at the 2022 Alsco Uniforms 300, with sponsorship from advertising agency Sokal.^[267]

Bandy

Sweden and Finland announced that they will boycott the 2020–2022 Bandy World Championship in Irkutsk which is scheduled to be held in October 2022. Both countries also boycotted the World under-17 Championships set to be held in Kemerovo in March 2022.^[268]

Basketball

American two-time Olympic champion Brittney Griner was arrested on drug charges in Russia by the Russian Federal Security Service, allegedly for the possession of hashish oil.^[269][270] There is concern that Russia may be holding her hostage as a response to the Western sanctions imposed against Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[271][272]

NBA teams Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets held a moment of silence as a form of solidarity with Ukraine before the match held on 24 February 2022 by linking each other arms.^[273]

Former Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter Freedom showed his solidarity with Ukrainian people. Freedom also called out NBA hypocrisy for the Ukraine flag pins initiative as his team used to beg him not to wear the anti-China sneaker he wore last year which is allegedly the cause of his dismissal.^[274]

Boxing

Irish boxing legend and boxing promoter Barry McGuigan praised the Klitschko brothers who fought to defend Ukraine; McGuigan also urged the sporting world to turn their back on Russia and Vladimir Putin as he stated "Until there is peace, no Russian fighter should be seen in a ring again". The same message was echoed by fellow Irish boxer Kellie Harrington who stated her respect for the brothers.^[275][276]

Football/soccer

The Football Association said England teams at all levels and age groups will not compete against Russian opponents due to the invasion of Ukraine. They said: "Out of solidarity with the Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership, The FA can confirm that we won't play against Russia in any international fixtures for the foreseeable future. This includes any potential match at any level of senior, age group or para football." And the boycott of matches will be "for the foreseeable future."^[277]

FC Lokomotiv Moscow's coach German Markus Gisdol quit in protest of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.^[278]

Polish, Swedish and Czech football association announced that they will boycott the UEFA World Cup Qualifying match for 2022 FIFA World Cup against Russia and in Russian territory should the match go as planned. FIFA later decide the match to be cancelled and disqualified Russia national football team from participating in 2022 world cup.^[279]

Real Madrid announced it will donate the sum of €1 million to their "Everyone with Ukraine" campaign, which was launched on 5 March for displaced people in Ukraine.^[280]

Hellas Verona fans revealed a banner showing coordinates of Naples with flags of Russia and Ukraine suggesting the city should be targeted. The banner has been publicly condemned with Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti insisting that the fans who made it should "never set foot in a stadium again."^[281]

Ice hockey

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) team Jokerit, based in Helsinki, Finland, announced their decision to leave the KHL, in which 19 of the 22 teams were based in Russia, in response to the invasion, and to return to SM-liiga in Finland for the 2022–2023 season.^[282] Three days after Jokerit left, Dinamo Riga, based in the capital of Latvia, also decided to leave the KHL for the same reason.^[283][284]

Canadian former center and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky called on the IIHF to not allow Russia to participate at the rescheduled World Juniors tournament in Alberta, Canada.^[285]

Skiing

Australian aerial skier Danielle Scott announced that she will boycott in the 2021–2022 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup final scheduled to be held in Russia. The announcement was followed by the cancellation of remaining events in Russia.^[219]

Tennis

British tennis player Andy Murray pledged to donate the prize money he wins from competition for Ukraine, to help children that has been impacted during the war.^[230]

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic stated his support for Stakhovsky who was enlisted in the Ukrainian army to fight the invasion.^[255]

German tennis player Eva Lys slammed her Russian opponent Ksenia Zaytseva for 'laughing about' the war.^[286]

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer pledged to donate $500,000 to help the children affected by the war in Ukraine.^[287]

Sponsorship

• German football club Schalke 04 announced that it would remove the logo of Gazprom, its main sponsor, from its uniforms.^[288][289]
• Formula One team Haas announced the removal of the Russian state-owned Uralkali sponsorship during the third day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, while also modifying the livery on their Haas VF-22 cars to remove a design of the Russian flag.^[290] The sponsorship was officially terminated on 5 March. Additionally, the son of Uralkali's owner Nikita Mazepin was removed from the team.^[240] Hitech Grand Prix, a team running in Formula One's support series Formulas 2 and 3, also terminated their sponsorship with Uralkali.^[291]
• English football club Manchester United announced that it would withdraw the sponsorship rights of Aeroflot.^[292]
• English football club Everton announced that it would suspend the sponsorship agreement with USM, MegaFon and Yota. The three companies are chaired by the owner of the club Farhad Moshiri.
• Speedo Ends Sponsorship Deal With Russian Gold Medalist Evgeny Rylov and noting it would donate any sponsorship fees to the UN Refugee Agency.^[293]

Sports organizations

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) condemned Russia's "breach of the Olympic Truce adopted by the UN General Assembly". Although the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing concluded four days prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the truce by its terms was set to last until seven days after the 2022 Winter Paralympics concluded in mid-March. The President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, called for peace. The IOC stated they are greatly concerned about the Olympic community in Ukraine.^[294] The IOC Executive Board initially proposed to sanction Russia and Belarus by stripping both countries' rights to host sporting events, and banning the use of their national flags and anthems.^[295] The IOC later called on individual federations to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in any international events until further notice.^[296] The IOC also withdrew the Olympic Order from Vladimir Putin.^[297]

On 2 March, the International Paralympic Committee initially said that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be allowed to participate under a neutral flag, with their results not counting in the medal standings.^[298][299] As a result of criticism by several National Paralympic Committees, who threatened to boycott the games, the IPC announced on 3 March that they were altering their earlier decision, and banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at the 2022 Winter Paralympics.^[300][301]

Archery

The World Archery Federation banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[302][303] It also banned the flags and anthems of Russia and Belarus, and said that no archery events would be held in the two countries.^[304]

Athletics

World Athletics banned Russian and Belarus athletes and officials from World Athletic Series events, including Russian athletes who had Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) status.^[303]

Auto racing

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) banned Russia and Belarus teams, and banned the holding of competitions in Russia or Belarus.^[303][305] It also excluded Russian and Belarusian FIA members from their roles as elected officers or commission members, and banned FIA grants to Russian and Belarusian members.^[306] Individual Russia and Belarus competitors were allowed to enter races as neutrals, without their national symbols, flags, colors, and anthems.^[303] The FIA cancelled the 2022 edition of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, initially scheduled for 25 September.^[307] The FIA terminated the contract to host the race,^[308] meaning the planned move of the race venue from Sochi to Igora in 2023 would not materialize.

The Automobile Federation of Ukraine president asked FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem to have the FIA ban all Russian license holders from any FIA-sanctioned events,^[309] but the FIA decided to still allow Russian and Belarusian license holders to compete, though under a neutral flag.^[310]

British motorsport governing body Motorsport UK barred Russian and Belarusian drivers from competing in British motorsport events, thus preventing Russian F1 driver Nikita Mazepin from participating in the upcoming 2022 edition of the British Grand Prix in Silverstone scheduled to be held in July (in any event, he was sacked by his team),^[311][312] with Motorsport Australia considering a similar move.^[313] Mazepin's position was also in limbo due to his father Dmitry Mazepin being a Russian oligarch tied to Russian President Vladimir Putin.^[314][315] On 5 March, Haas F1 terminated its contract with Mazepin, along with its contract with the title sponsor, Mazepin's father's state-owned Uralkali.^[240] NASCAR announced that drivers will be able to show support for Ukraine on their cars with NASCAR's approval.^[316]

Badminton

Badminton World Federation (BWF) banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials from tournaments.^[303] It cancelled all BWF-sanctioned events in Russia and Belarus. It also banned all Russia and Belarus national flags and symbols from being displayed at any BWF-sanctioned event.^[317]

Bandy

The Federation of International Bandy excluded Russia from participating in the 2022 Women's Bandy World Championship.^[318] The men's 2020–22 Bandy World Championship was cancelled after Finland, Sweden, Norway, and the United States announced that they would not take part in the competition in Russia due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.^{[319][320][321][322]} Before the start of their games, the players of four Russian bandy teams formed a 'Z' on the field, which is the letter symbolizing the Russian tanks that have invaded Ukraine.^[323]

Baseball/softball

World Baseball Softball Confederation banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[303]

Basketball

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) banned Russian teams and officials. EuroLeague suspended Russian teams CSKA Moscow, UNICS Kazan, and Zenit St. Petersburg. Eurocup Basketball suspended PBC Lokomotiv Kuban.^[303] EuroLeague Women suspended UMMC Ekaterinburg, Dynamo Kursk, and MBA Moscow.^[324] The National Basketball Association (NBA), which did not have any Russian players, suspended all business activities in Russia, including broadcasts.^[325]

Biathlon

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) banned Russian and Belarussian flags at their events.^[326]

Boxing

The International Boxing Association (formerly AIBA) banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials. It also cancelled events scheduled to take place in Russia and Belarus.^[327]

Canoeing

The International Canoe Federation banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[303]

Chess

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) announced that the 44th Chess Olympiad, originally planned to be held in Moscow, will not take place in Russia due to the "rapidly deteriorating geopolitical situation".^[328] FIDE later announced that "no official FIDE chess competitions and events will be held in Russia and Belarus," expressing its "grave concern about the military action started by Russia", talking of "war" and condemning "any use of military means to resolve political conflicts".^[233]

Climbing

The International Federation of Sport Climbing banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[303] It also suspended the Boulder and Speed World Cup in Moscow, scheduled for 1–3 April, with intent to relocate and reschedule the event.^[329]

Cycling

The International Cycling Union banned Russian and Belarus national teams, as well as six teams from those countries, including the Pro Tour Gazprom–RusVelo team.^[330][331] Individual Russian and Belarus competitors will be allowed as neutrals, without national flags/emblems.^[327] The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) cancelled events scheduled to take place in Russia until at least the end of the year.^[332]

Equestrian

The International Equestrian Federation cancelled all 57 remaining events in 2022 in Russia and Belarus.^[327]

Fencing

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[303] It cancelled or will relocate all events in Russia and Belarus. FIE Russian President Alisher Usmanov stepped down after the European Union imposed economic sanctions on him. He said "I believe that such a decision is unfair, and the reasons employed to justify the sanctions are a set of false and defamatory allegations damaging my honor, dignity, and business reputation. I will use all legal means to protect my honor and reputation." On 27 February 2022, an FIE World Cup in Sochi was called off on the final day of competition.^[333]

Football/soccer

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) suspended all Russian clubs and national teams from all of their competitions.^[334] UEFA announced that the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final, due to be held in St. Petersburg, would be moved out of Russia to France in response to the invasion.^{[331][335][215]} UEFA also terminated its sponsorship contract with Gazprom, a Russian state-owned oil and gas giant.^[336] The European Club Association suspended its seven Russian members – Zenit St Petersburg, FC Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, CSKA Moscow, FC Krasnodar, Rubin Kazan, and FC Rostov.^[337] Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich announced he would be selling Chelsea F.C. soon after the invasion commenced and donating all the proceeds to Ukrainian victims.^[338]

Futsal

FIFA and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions all Russian teams, both national representative teams or club teams.^[339]

Golf

The International Golf Federation banned Russian and Belarus athletes and officials.^[327]

Gymnastics

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) barred Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, including judges.^[340] It also announced that "all FIG World Cup and World Challenge Cup events planned to take place in Russia and Belarus are cancelled, and no other FIG events will be allocated to Russia or Belarus until further notice." FIG banned the Russian and Belarusian flags at their events.^[341]

Handball

The International Handball Federation banned Russian and Belarus athletes and officials.^[327] The European Handball Federation suspended the national teams of Russia and Belarus, as well as Russian and Belarusian clubs competing in European handball competitions.^[342] Referees, officials, and commission members from Russia and Belarus will not be called upon for future activities.^[342] And new organisers will be sought for the YAC 16 EHF Beach Handball EURO and the Qualifier Tournaments for the Beach Handball EURO 2023, which were to be held in Moscow.^[342]

Ice hockey

The International Ice Hockey Federation banned Russia and Belarus from all international events, effectively kicking them out of the 2022 IIHF World Championship and other tournaments. Russia was also stripped of the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, but not the 2023 IIHF World Championship.^[343]

The National Hockey League (NHL), which with 50 has the most Russian players of the four major US sports leagues, condemned the invasion.^[303] It suspended indefinitely all Russian business deals, social media, websites, and promotional posts.^[303] It will also no longer consider Russia as a host for future NHL events. It will not take action, however, with regard to the Russian players in the league, and will let them finish the season as normal. It added extra security for Russian and Belarusian athletes following reports of harassment, death threats, and increased hostilities in both the United States and Canada.

Judo

The International Judo Federation (IJF) removed Putin as Honorary President and ambassador.^{[344][345][346]} The IJF also removed Russian Arkady Rotenberg as member of the IJF's executive committee.^[346] It canceled all tournaments in Russia.^[327] It continued to allow Russian judokas to compete, but without Russian flags or symbols.^[327]

Karate

The European Karate Federation (EKF) stripped Moscow as host of the 2023 European Karate Championships.^[347]

Modern pentathlon

The International Modern Pentathlon Union banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[303]

Motorcycle racing

Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) banned all Russian and Belarusian motorcycle riders, teams, officials, and competitions.^[348] It cancelled one of the 2022 Speedway Grand Prix events, FIM Speedway GP of MFR – Togliatti, which was supposed to be held in Tolyatti on 9 July, stating that "in the current circumstances it is not possible to hold the FIM Speedway GP of MFR Togliatti."^[349]

Orienteering

The International Orienteering Federation suspended the membership of the Russian Orienteering Federation.^[350] The IOF also disallowed Russian orienteering athletes from participating in IOF events (even as neutral athletes), cancelled all organising rights for IOF events and activities in Russia, and suspended all Russian members appointed to IOF official bodies.^[350]

Rowing

The World Rowing Federation banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[303]

Rugby league

The International Rugby League and European Rugby League banned Russia from all international rugby league competitions.^[351]

Rugby union

World Rugby and Rugby Europe suspended both Belarus and Russia from international and European continental rugby union competition. In addition, the Rugby Union of Russia was suspended from World Rugby and Rugby Europe. The Rugby Union of Belarus was suspended from Rugby Europe.^[352][353]

Sailing

World Sailing banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[303]

Shooting

The International Shooting Sport Federation banned Russia and Belarus athletes.^[327]

Skateboarding

World Skate is allowing Russian and Belarus competitors to compete as neutrals without country flags, symbols, colors, and anthems. No events will take place in Russia or Belarus.^[327]

Skating and speedskating

The International Skating Union barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from competition.^[331]

Skiing

The International Ski Federation (FIS) banned Russian and Belarus athletes. It announced that six World Cup events originally planned to take place in Russia in the 2021–22 season will be cancelled or moved to other locations.^[219][327]

Surfing

The International Surfing Association banned Russian athletes and officials.^[327]

Swimming

FINA will allow the Russian and Belarus as neutrals without any country flag, colors, symbols, or anthems. The FINA Order awarded to Vladimir Putin was withdrawn.^[327]

Table Tennis

The International Table Tennis Federation banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[303]

Taekwondo

World Taekwondo banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials. It revoked Vladimir Putin's honorary 9th degree Dan black belt, condemned the violence, and said that Russia's action was against the sporting vision. It also stated that no events will be held in Russia and Belarus during current circumstances.^[354][327]

Tennis

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) moved the 2022 St. Petersburg Open tournament from Saint Petersburg to Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, presumably due to the political situation in Russia.^[221]

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) cancelled all events in Russia and Belarus, and postponed the ITF World Tennis Tour M15 event due to take place in Ukraine.^[327][355] The ITF excluded Russia and Belarus from international team events, which include the Davis Cup, the Billie Jean King Cup, and the ATP Cup, and suspended the Russian Tennis Federation and the Belarus Tennis Federation.^[327] However, the ATP and the WTA refused to yield to international pressure to ban individual players from competition.^[356] Players will carry on but not play under a national flag.^[303]

Triathlon

World Triathlon banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials.^[303]

Volleyball

The International Volleyball Federation suspended all Russian national teams, clubs, and officials, as well as beach and snow volleyball athletes, from all events, and stripped Russia of the right to host the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in August 2022, and will relocate games that were to be in Russia in June and July.^[357][358] The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) also banned all Russian national teams, clubs, and officials from participating in European competition, and suspended all members of Russia from their respective functions in CEV organs.^[359]

Weightlifting

The International Weightlifting Federation suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions. Furthermore, it will not host any events in those countries.^[331]

Wrestling

United World Wrestling banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials.^[303]

American professional wrestling promotion WWE announced it would terminate its broadcasting relationship with Russia, effectively removing its programming, and shut down the WWE Network streaming service. WWE had entered the Russian market in early 2020.^[360]

Notes

References