UKRAINE'S fencing team refused to take part in the 2022 World Cup featuring Russia, instead opting to go home and assist in any way possible.

The squad were in Cairo for the event when news of Vladimir Putin's invasion broke.

Andrii Scherba and Andrei Pogrebniak were among the squad that had been set to take part in the event.

But they decided to return to Kyiv, where they are now helping to deliver food and medicine to their fellow countrymen and women.

On their decision, Scherba told the Mail: "The moment we refused to participate was one of the most emotional in my career, we understood that now our people need support, especially in the international arena.

"We decided not to remain silent and tell the world about the aggression of the occupying country so that the whole world sees the threat our army is holding back from Europe."

Scherba had been willing to fight for his country on the front line.

However he has had to make to with a different role.

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He explained: "I was told that there were already enough people and only recruits with military experience [were wanted].

"So now I'm volunteering, taking medicine to the least accessible places and helping with fundraising and equipment for the army.

"There is an acute shortage of medicines. It is dangerous to deliver, there is often an evacuation siren and you are on the road and there is no shelter nearby."

A number of stars from the world of sport have decided to return to Ukraine to fight for their country.

Ex-Arsenal defender Oleg Luzhny, 53, has enlisted.

While boxers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko have also signed up to help out.

Tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky, who beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2013, is also assisting the effort – and has received a message of support from Novak Djokovic.

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