Oleksandr Usyk is continuing his efforts to raise awareness for the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russia invaded the undisputed heavyweight world champion’s homeland in February 2022.

Usyk outside Okhmatdyt children’s hospitalCredit: UNITED24

While he initially joined Kyiv’s territorial defence force, Usyk later left the country to instead represent Ukraine on the international stage by continuing his boxing career.

In his most recent triumph, he achieved legendary status by beating Tyson Fury to crown himself undisputed heavyweight king.

Now though, Usyk has returned to Ukraine and travelled to Irpin – a devastated city on the outskirts of Kyiv.

He previously helped UNITED24 to raise £224,000 (of which he contributed £150,000 himself) to rebuild a house at 14-H Lysenka Street.

A press release from UNITED24 explained: “Thanks to Usyk, 40 families were able to return to their homes.

“The undisputed champion met with one such family. Diana, along with her husband and children, left Irpin at the beginning of March 2022.

“The next day, an enemy shell hit their house, engulfing the fifth floor in flames. Their apartment was reduced to nothing but charred walls.

“The family dreamed of returning home, and now their dream has become a reality.”

The gym has been rebuilt and reopenedCredit: UNITED24

The main reason the building caught Usyk’s attention was because it houses a gym in which his acquaintance Oleksii Dzhunkivskyi used to teach young children how to box.

Dzhunkivskyi stayed in Irpin and was killed by Russian soldiers.

Usyk visited a session of children learning to box in the newly reconstructed gym, and also paid a visit to Anastasia Dzhunkivskyi, who is continuing her late husband’s work.

Usyk said: “I decided to purchase all the necessary sports equipment so that the children can train in comfortable conditions.

Usyk was popular with the children in the hospitalCredit: UNITED24

He even began teaching one to boxCredit: UNITED24

“Although Oleksii is no longer with us, boxing will continue to exist in the gym he founded.

“The children will keep training, and perhaps one of them will become a new world champion.”

After this, Usyk and his wife Kateryna visited the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, which was hit by a missile on July 8.

They met staff and children undergoing treatment, with Usyk even giving a couple of them some boxing tips.

“The world needs to see the grief and massive destruction that Russia is causing to our country,” Usyk said.

“But the world also needs to see the unity and solidarity of the Ukrainian people, which is inspiring.

“Over 300 people were injured at Okhmatdyt. I wish everyone a speedy recovery.”