MOSCOW, February 24 Aston Martin Formula 1 team driver Sebastian Vettel refused to participate in the Russian Grand Prix due to the Russian military operation to demilitarize Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that in response to the appeal of the leaders of the Donbass republics, he decided to conduct a special military operation. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow's plans do not include the occupation of Ukrainian territories. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Russian military does not strike at the cities of Ukraine, military infrastructure is disabled by high-precision means. Nothing threatens the civilian population, they assured the department. «I am shocked by today's news. It is terrible to see what is happening now. You know that a race is planned in Russia, but I have already decided for myself that I will not participate in it. I think wrong participation in the races in this country. I'm sorry that innocent people are dying for such stupid reasons,» Motorsport quotes Vettel. «It is not right to race in a country that is at war,» said the Dutch driver.
