Olympian Vladyslav Heraskevych Urges Parliament to Strip Bubka of Hero of Ukraine Title

Vladyslav Heraskevych's Address to Ukraine's Parliament

According to Главком: On February 26, 2026, skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych appeared before the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, where he called for the revocation of the Hero of Ukraine title from Sergei Bubka and for sanctions to be imposed against him. This appeal sparked a strong reaction, notably from MP Artem Dmytruk, who criticized Heraskevych's remarks on social media.

Artem Dmytruk's Response

Artem Dmytruk, a sanctioned MP currently in exile, responded by stating:

“This figure will now play an important role for the people who have seized power in Ukraine. He will justify all that violence and criminal activity against the Ukrainian people.” - Artem Dmytruk

Dmytruk also expressed concern that “if elections are coming up – they might even find him a top spot on party lists.”

The target of these accusations, Sergei Bubka, is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and holds the Hero of Ukraine award. He is globally renowned as one of the greatest track and field athletes of the 20th century and a symbol of Ukrainian sport. Dmytruk emphasized Bubka's significance for the nation, noting:

“Sergei Bubka is not just a famous athlete. He is a symbol of Ukrainian sport on the world stage. And when loud accusations are made today against a person of such stature, we must understand: this is not merely a personal attack. It is about the erasure of symbols upon which Ukraine's sporting reputation has been built for decades.” - Artem Dmytruk

This incident highlights the deep political and social divisions within Ukraine, where even national icons are not immune from controversy. The statements from Heraskevych and the rebuttal from Dmytruk underscore the tension in Ukrainian society and politics, questioning the role of prominent athletes in contemporary public and political processes. It demonstrates how sporting achievements and reputations can become subjects of political dispute, especially in a context of national instability and conflict.

Monitoring the public reaction and further developments is crucial, as such declarations have the potential to influence public opinion and Ukraine's political direction.