Ukraine's Minister for Youth and Sport, Matvii Bidnyi, has criticised the FIA's decision to lift its ban on Russian and Belarusian motorsport competitors, arguing that nothing has changed to justify softening the policy. He spoke shortly after a Russian drone strike hit Kyiv's central railway station, saying attacks on Ukraine continue almost daily and describing elite Russian sport as a tool of state propaganda and "sportswashing".

The FIA imposed the ban in February 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but reversed it on 3 August this year after the International Olympic Committee lifted its own restrictions. Bidnyi noted that other bodies, including World Athletics, have not followed suit, contrasting them with federations such as judo and weightlifting that have relaxed sanctions. Ukraine's government says 775 athletes and coaches have been killed and over 925 sports facilities destroyed since the invasion began, while the FIA maintains its ban on hosting events in Russia and Belarus and says it continues to monitor the situation.