The Automobile Federation of Ukraine (FAU) filed a formal complaint with the FIA Ethics Committee on August 27 or 28, accusing the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF) of breaching FIA statutes by opening offices in Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia—territories internationally recognized as part of Ukraine [1, 2]. FAU President Oleksandr Feldman stated, "This is a clear breach of the FIA statutes by the Russian Automobile Federation, which, as an FIA member organisation, is bound to comply with them. We urge the FIA president to take urgent action to have these offices closed, and for the Russian automobile federation to be sanctioned for its actions" [3].
The complaint highlights that the RAF is unlawfully exercising sporting authority within Ukrainian territory, violating the FIA rule that only one national sporting authority is recognized per sovereign country. The FAU argues that by operating offices in Ukrainian territory, the RAF is unlawfully purporting to exercise sporting authority that belongs exclusively to the FAU [3, 1]. The RAF website lists a regional office in Simferopol, Crimea, described as a "motor sports federation in the Republic of Crimea," which remains under Russian control but is claimed by Ukraine [1, 2].
The complaint comes after the FIA world council decided on August 3 to lift its ban on Russian and Belarusian competitors participating under their national flags and anthems. That ban had been imposed in February 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine [3, 4]. FAU lawyer Binsad commented: "These 'emergency measures' were implemented after the Russian invasion in 2022, but 4 and a half years later the conflict continues without change" [4].
RAF President Boris Rotenberg is subject to international sanctions by the US, UK, EU, and other nations due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine [3, 1, 2]. The complaint requests an urgent investigation and sanctions against the RAF, including the closure of its offices in Ukrainian territory [3, 1, 2, 4].
The ban on Russian racers does not affect Formula 1 events, as FIA has terminated contracts for the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi [4]. The FIA Ethics Committee, led by FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem and FIA Senate president Carmello Sanz de Barros, will review the complaint [3].
The decision to lift restrictions on Russian and Belarusian competitors followed a similar move by the International Olympic Committee in July 2026 [3, 4]. Oriental Daily News reported on August 29 about the ongoing dispute and Ukraine’s opposition to the FIA decision [4].
The FIA Ethics Committee has yet to announce a timetable for its investigation into the FAU’s complaint and the status of the Russian offices in Ukrainian territory remains contested.
