The Ukrainian boxing great posted a video on social media of himself driving the combat vehicle during a training exercise at the Armoured Corps Training Centre in German city Münster.

Four more Leopard 2 tanks have been provided by the German Defence Ministry to Ukraine, increasing the total to 18.

The extra support comes at the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"I never thought a year ago that I’m going to drive this cat," said Klitschko.

"A year of war in Ukraine, a year of suffering and a year of getting our willpower stronger than ever - as strong as this tank.

"Thank you, Germany.

"Thank you, the free world for all that you do for us Ukrainians.

"Glory to Ukraine.

"Glory to the heroes."

Germany’s support comes after Poland sent four Leopard tanks to Ukrainian capital Kyiv as other Western nations continue to supply weapons and armour to Ukraine.

Klitschko claimed super-heavyweight gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.

After turning professional, Klitschko held world heavyweight titles from April 2006 until November 2015.

The 46-year-old and his older brother, Vitali Klitschko, a fellow former professional boxing champion and who is now the Mayor of Kyiv, have been serving in the Ukrainian military since the invasion began.

Last week, Wladimir Klitschko launched a scathing attack on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over its decision to explore a pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete at next year’s Olympics in the French capital under a neutral banner.

Russian and Belarusian athletes have been largely barred from international competition since the invasion of Ukraine but the IOC is considering allowing them to return to the world stage under “strict conditions” of neutrality.

Klitschko accused IOC President Thomas Bach of "not representing Olympic values but the aggressor" and warned that the adrmission of Russian and Belarusian athletes at Paris 2024 would be a "destruction of Olympic principles".