Sport-Russia stripped of major events as invasion of Ukraine intensifies

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows the Gazprom Arena soccer stadium in St Petersburg, Russia May 25, 2021. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

(Reuters) - As Russian forces moved deeper into Ukraine on Friday, sports bodies moved quickly to strip Russia of events, with St Petersburg losing the Champions League final while the Formula One Grand Prix will not be held in Sochi.

Russia launched its invasion by land, air and sea on Thursday following a declaration of war by President Vladimir Putin, with an estimated 100,000 people fleeing as explosions and gunfire rocked major cities.