Petition Targeting Russian Athletes Who Support the War Gains Over 3,000 Signatures

Petition Calls for Sanctions on Russian Athletes

According to Главком: A petition launched by Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, demanding sanctions against Russian athletes who publicly support the war, has garnered 3,016 signatures as of 4:50 PM on February 12, 2026. The petition was registered on January 27, 2026, and gained significant traction, having collected approximately 1,000 signatures by February 11, 2026. This initiative highlights ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable in the international sporting arena for their political stances on the conflict.

Heraskevych's petition specifically names nine Russian athletes he believes should face sanctions. The list includes:

• Angelina Melnikova
• Svetlana Gomboeva
• Yana Egorian
• Evgeny Baidousov
• Imam Ganishev
• Madina Taimazova
• Vladislav Larin
• Maksim Khramtsov
• Fedor Chudinov

The petition argues that sanctions imposed by Ukraine would serve as a crucial first step, prompting allied nations to follow suit. Heraskevych contends that such coordinated international action would effectively bar these athletes from global competitions, which he asserts they use as platforms to endorse Russia's war against Ukraine.

Context and Potential Impact of Sanctions

A key point of context for the petition is the International Olympic Committee's decision to allow Russian cross-country skier Daria Nepryaeva to compete. Notably, in the summer of 2022, Nepryaeva illegally visited annexed Crimea to participate in training camps. This case underscores the contentious debate surrounding the participation of Russian athletes in international events amid the ongoing war.

Implementing sanctions against these athletes could significantly reshape the international sports landscape during the conflict. Heraskevych's petition reflects broader Ukrainian efforts to influence global sports policy, emphasizing athlete accountability. Its success could signal to other nations the importance of upholding principles of fairness and ethics in sports, particularly in times of geopolitical crisis.