MOSCOW, September 16 – Olympic champion in figure skating Tatyana Navka called the deprivation of citizenship of figure skater Margarita Drobyazko a manifestation of Russophobia, noting that the athlete increased the prestige of the country with her merits.

Earlier, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda signed a decree depriving Drobiazko of Lithuanian citizenship, which she received as an exception in 1993. She and Povilas Vanagas were also excluded from the list of holders of the Order of Gediminas, V degree, for participating in Tatiana Navka’s show “Swan Lake” in Sochi.

“We all see in a concrete example how Lithuania furiously shows its Russophobia. This example is an indicator of this. It is obvious that Lithuania is following the lead of Western partners who are putting unprecedented pressure on it. Undoubtedly, Lithuania remains a loser, having lost such a famous and honored figure skater “. The world, unfortunately, knows few Lithuanian athletes. Margarita Drobyazko defended the honor and dignity of Lithuania at international competitions for many years – she brought her country many titles and well-deserved medals. She is one of the most titled Lithuanian figure skaters in the entire history of figure skating of this country – participant in five Olympics, winner of the World Championship, European Championship and a variety of international tournaments. All these achievements, of course, increased the prestige of Lithuania in the international sports arena,” the press service of the Navka Show company quotes Navka as saying

Drobiazko and Vanagas represented Lithuania at the Olympic Games and World Championships, where they managed to win one bronze medal. The couple are multiple national champions. Drobyazko is a native of Moscow. She received Lithuanian citizenship in 1993.