Russia claims the regions are now part of its territory, following referendums widely dismissed by the international community.

The IOF Council agrees the annexation of regions is illegal and has therefore condemned a RUFSO resolution to set up regional bodies for Donetsk and Luhansk.

The IOF suspended the RUFSO in February because of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It has also banned Russian athletes from its competitions.

"The IOF agrees with the conclusion of the international community, including of the United Nations, that the annexation of regions of Ukraine into the Russian Federation is without legal base or effect," read an IOF statement.

"The IOF considers these regions as being a part of Ukraine and the actions of RUFSO are therefore clearly in violation of article 3.2.4 in the statutes of IOF; obligations of members and provisional members, with particular reference to the sub-clause 'members and provisional members shall not interfere in the internal affairs of other members'.

"RUFSO has previously argued that the suspension of their membership in the IOF, and exclusion of Russian athletes from IOF competitions, should be removed as sports should not be affected by politics.

"This argument is clearly contradicted by the connection made in the decisions of the Executive Committee between RUFSO and political bodies, i.e. the Ministries of Sports, Defense and Education.

"The Council notes if these decisions remain and are implemented, RUFSO has taken further steps away from having its current suspension from the IOF removed and membership rights restored."

Russia unilaterally declared its annexation of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson on September 30 in addition to Luhansk and Donetsk.