‘Putin started this war, Russia is shocked’: Boxing star Tim Tszyu’s mum calls out Russian President from Moscow

The Russian-born mother of Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu has bravely spoken out against Russia’s war on Ukraine, slamming Vladimir Putin from Moscow.

The Russian-born mother of Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu has bravely spoken out against Russia’s war on Ukraine, slamming Vladimir Putin from Moscow where she has spent the past three weeks on holiday.

Natalia Tszyu tearfully called the fighting in Ukraine “shocking”, told how she had family stuck in the war zone and made no bones about referring to the conflict as “Putin’s war”.

The ex-wife of world champion boxer Kostya has called Australia home since 1992, but returned to Russia three weeks ago for the first time since Covid struck to visit her 76-year-old mother.

Boxing superstar Tim Tszyu’s mother Natalia (right), who has spent the past three weeks in Russia, has slammed Vladimir Purim’s war on Ukraine. Picture: Supplied

A man walks in front of a destroyed building after a Russian missile attack in the town of Vasylkiv, near Kyiv. Picture: Dimitar Dilkoff / AFP

As she prepared to fly home to Sydney, Ms Tszyu told how she had just $5 available to her as a result of the sanctions imposed by international powers and gave a rare insight into the perspective of Russians on the conflict.

“It’s honestly shocking. I’m sitting here now in Moscow … what I can say? We Russians, we Ukranains, we are brothers and sisters,” she said.

“Putin started this war, Russia is shocked, normal people are depressed, but we cannot say anything bad about the President.

Tim Tszyu with his mum Natalia Tszyu.

“I’m telling you, my family lives in Ukraine, I feel sorry for the Ukraine people. We are fighting against our own people, this is the shame.

“I’m a mother. I’m praying for kids, for men who have to get their guns and go to the war, we never thought this would happen.”

Ukrainian women and children cross the border from Ukraine to Poland. Picture: Janek Skarzynski /AFP

“Putin started this war, Russia is shocked, normal people are depressed, but we cannot say anything bad about the President.” Alexey Nikolsky / Sputnik / AFP)

Ms Tszyu is due to land back in Australia this week ahead of her youngest son Nikita’s debut fight on March 2.

It has been three decades since she and Kostya fled the collapsing Soviet Union to set up a new life, with Ms Tszyu saying this is firmly now her homeland.

He has since returned to Russia where he enjoys a successful career and has even hosted his own TV show.

Ms Tszyu has established a successful career in real estate in Sydney, raised their three children and wants Australians to know how lucky they are.

Tim Tszyu celebrates winning the WBO Global and Asia Pacific Super Welterweight title.

Ms Tszyu has lived in Australia since the early 1990s and says Sydney is her true home now. Picture: Toby Zerna

“What I want to say to all Australian people, we are so lucky to live in Australia, we live in the best country, I have a twin citizenship – but I can’t wait to get back to my country,” Ms Tszyu said.

“I missed my mum and I went to see her … when I arrived everything was fine. I was so happy, we watched the Olympics, it was a beautiful time, it was time to spend with my mum.

“(But now) on the television is only war, there are no recreation programs, it’s all about what’s happening.

“You can’t get any money out. My cards are all blocked. You can’t even buy bread, that’s what is happening around Moscow.

“My father was buried in this land, my mum she still lives in Russia, it is so painful.”