While the war of aggression waged by Vladimir Putin's regime against Ukraine continues to bring ever more bombings, destruction, and casualties, the gradual reintegration of Russian athletes into international competitions is steadily progressing , despite the fact that these athletes are generally supporters of the regime. The European Fencing Championships, held in Antony (Hauts-de-Seine) from June 16 to 21, offer a striking illustration of this.

Eight of the 28 Russian fencers competing (1) are affiliated with the army club (CSKA) or the FSB (Dynamo, historically linked to the security services). Four are even described on the International Fencing Federation (FIE) website itself as having the profession of "Armed Forces athlete." Lieutenant Yana Egorian has been under Ukrainian sanctions since February 16, 2026. She notably participated in Vladimir Putin's 2018 presidential campaign . And wore a T-shirt with his image on it during the football World Cup in Russia that same year.

For Ukraine, for their freedom and ours! wrote to the French Fencing Federation (FFE) and the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) to denounce a situation that is not only shocking but also contrary to the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of March 28, 2023 , which are still in effect. Estonia, initially chosen to host these Championships, had anticipated this situation but was ultimately denied the opportunity because it wanted to impose strict neutrality checks on Russian competitors.

Furthermore, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) already allows the identification of "neutral individual athletes" as Russian — "_AIN" — or Belarusian — "AIN_" — which opens the way to the discreet reconstitution of their national teams, again in contradiction with the recommendations of the IOC.

The FIE was the first international federation to reinstate Russian and Belarusian athletes in March 2023, even before the IOC issued a statement. It subsequently aligned itself with the IOC's recommendations, but recently lifted all restrictions on the participation of Russian fencers starting with the World Championships in Hong Kong next month.

For Ukraine, for their freedom and ours! has therefore also asked the FFE and the CNOSF to guarantee that strict neutrality is observed for this competition taking place on French soil: no Russian or Belarusian team, in any form whatsoever, should be allowed to compete in these European Championships in Antony; and under no circumstances should their anthems and flags be used in Antony if so-called "neutral individual athletes" were to go on the podium .

The association also asked the French Fencing Federation (FFE) to pay tribute, for example during the opening of the competition, to Ukrainian fencers who died for their freedom and ours while fighting Russian aggression. No response has been received to date.

Sport has never been neutral ground for Russia (and before it, the USSR). Vladimir Putin and his "sportokratura"—an economic and sporting oligarchy that helped him seize power—have made it an essential element of the regime, both within Russia itself and in its international influence. He effectively transforms all Russian athletes into propagandists .

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1

Egorian Yana, CSKA, Occupation: Armed Forces Athlete (Lieutenant), Sabre Woman;

Nikitina Olga, CSKA, Occupation: Armed Forces Athlete (Warrant Officer), Sabre Woman;

Martanova Marta, Dynamo, Women's Foil;

Murtazaeva Aizanat, Dynamo, Women's Sword;

Zagidullina Adelina, CSKA, Occupation: Armed Forces Athlete (Captain), Women's Foil;

Bruev Georgiy, CSKA, Men's Sword;

Ibragimov Kamil, CSKA, Occupation: Armed Forces Athlete (Senior Lieutenant), Saber Homme;

Mylnikov Vladislav, Dynamo, Men's Foil.

Sources: Wikipedia and https://fie.org/competitions