Playboy model and TV host Victoria Bonya has caused quite a stir in Russia after she extended her congratulations to Oleksandr Usyk for his victory over Tyson Fury.
The Ukrainian boxer faced off against Fury for the second time earlier this month, having previously secured a win by split decision back in May. Despite Fury’s strong start and effective body shots, Usyk gained momentum midway through the fight and ultimately clinched a unanimous decision win.
While Usyk’s triumph in Riyadh has been widely applauded, Bonya is now facing backlash and potential legal trouble for her public praise of the Ukrainian fighter. The 45-year-old celebrity, who boasts a following of 11 million on Instagram, shared a snapshot from ringside where she’s seen holding Usyk’s championship belt with admiration.
After the intense rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia, Bonya captioned her post with: “A decent fight, Usyk defended his belt, it is worthy of respect!” Yet, her post did not sit well with many Russian netizens, some of whom are reportedly pushing for a treason investigation and urging Moscow prosecutors to take action against her.
Reports from the Telegram news channel SHOT suggest that accusations are being hurled at the model for allegedly backing and funding Ukrainian Armed Forces. Bonya defended herself staunchly before swiftly removing her statement from social media.
“I got a bunch of calls and comments. I want to immediately outline my position,” she stated. “Friends, I have lived in Europe for 12 years, I go to the mountains and stretch the Russian flag there. I have only one citizenship.
“However difficult it is for me and it is not easy, even when I go to Cannes and get a mass of trouble I support my country and support my president. So don’t tell me now that I have betrayed my country. I only support my country. If you want to mix it in the mud, then you will not succeed.”
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