German biathlete lets Ukrainian use his Instagram to reach Russians

Former biathlon world champion Erik Lesser of Germany has let Ukrainian athlete Anastasiya Merkushyna use his Instagram account for 24 hours to raise awareness among his Russian followers about what is happening in her country after Russia's invasion, reported dpa.

Lesser told German broadcasters ZDF at the World Cup events in Kontiolahti, Finland, that he wants to counter disinformation.

"I have 30,000 followers from Russia on Instagram and I believe the Russian population is not quite aware of what is really happening in Ukraine," he said.

"I thought that if I post something no one would believe it. But if I get a Ukrainian to do it would be quite good."

Merkushyna, who has four world championship relay medals, has posted photos from Ukraine including of destroyed houses.

"I want to show you the war with my own eyes. It is difficult to find the truth in the age of information wars so I have asked my friends to send me pictures they have taken," she said.

Merkushyna appealed to Russian athletes to raise their voice, saying: "You know exactly what is happening, and your silence is costing dozens of lives. Ukrainian athletes are taking up arms to defend their country - and you fear the truth."

Former world champion Dmytro Pidruchnyi and Olympic relay champion Yuliia Dzhima are among Ukrainian biathletes who have joined the armed forces.

Lesser has some 118,000 followers on Instagram and the large Russian contingent among them comes because he once helped a Russian athlete.

"I wanted more people in Russia to receive real news. I hope I can win over two or three others who can report from Ukraine. I hope it has a little effect," Lesser said.

Russian and Belarussian biathletes are banned from competing and Ukraine's team has withdrawn for the rest of the season.