Figure skater Nikita Volodin was born in Russia but received German citizenship in 2025. He competes with German skater Minerva Hase. On Monday evening, the pair won their first Olympic medal when they finished third in the pairs event. Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev is now sharply criticizing Volodin's change of nationality.
"Changing citizenship is pure treason," he said, according to German Bild.
We provide them with food, education, coaches, and sports facilities. And then - bang, they throw away their passports and disappear.
For security reasons, neither Volodin nor Hase have spoken publicly about their views on Russia or the ongoing war in Ukraine. At the same time, strong ties to their homeland remain. Volodin's parents, younger sister, and girlfriend still live in Russia.
