Russian karate athlete Sergei Plekhanov has joined a volunteer battalion to participate in the war against Ukraine.

Plekhanov's decision to take up arms in the conflict has sparked controversy, with many questioning the ethics of athletes involving themselves in politics and armed conflicts. Some have also criticized Plekhanov for aligning himself with a military operation that has been accused of committing human rights violations.

The involvement of athletes like Plekhanov in the war effort highlights the complex relationship between sports and politics in Russia.