HEARTBROKEN Andriy Yarmolenko admits he cannot focus on football as he faces up to the horrors of the war in Ukraine.
The West Ham ace has started playing again after being given compassionate leave as he desperately tried to keep his family and friends safe from danger.
Andriy Yarmolenko has said he cannot focus on football while Ukraine is still at warCredit: INSTAGRAMUkraine legend Yarmolenko, 32, was given compassionate leave by the HammersCredit: INSTAGRAM
But in a harrowing interview, the frightened Ukrainian forward, 32, accused Vladimir Putin’s Russian regime of “pure genocide”.
Some of his family are hiding in bomb shelters in his hometown city of Chernihiv under fierce attack from relentless Russian shelling.
Yarmolenko could not eat or sleep as he battled to find out if his friends and family were safe.
He broke down in tears after sending his wife and child to Kyiv just ONE DAY before Russia’s shock invasion.
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Relieved Yarmolenko to collect family in Poland after they escaped Ukraine war
The West Ham man has also called on the British Government to stop Ukrainians being killed.
And he wants footballers to offer shelter, medicine and money for the victims.
Yarmolenko declared: “It’s hard to talk about football, to think about football.
“When I train, when I play, I don’t know how it happens.
“In the first week of the war I didn’t sleep, didn’t eat, was constantly on the phone to all my relatives.
“I was just going crazy. Even now I don’t know the football results or who has played.”
Russia have been bombing key cities in Ukraine for a month now after launching their invasion on February 24.
And in an interview on Ukrainian TV, Yarmolenko added: “This is pure genocide, they’re just destroying Ukrainian people.
“Shooting at civilians, at children, at women, how is this possible? This is just horror.
“I don’t know how to find the words.
“I have seen Russian people holding a concert, how do these people treat it normally? I am not saying all people in Russia are bad.
“I know many people who know what is happening, I know how they react to it.
“But it is clear people are being killed.”
Yarmolenko has urged Ukrainians to ‘build together and help each other’Credit: GETTY
The UK has shown its support for Ukraine with tough economic sanctions against Russia and the Government has launched a scheme to offer shelter to thousands of refugees who are fleeing their homeland.
Yarmolenko added: “The British support the Ukrainian people as much as possible.
“Maybe they’ll be able to influence their Government so they just close the sky over Ukraine, they can stop people dying. This is what we want.
“Some Ukrainian players have taken up arms, some help with finances, some shelter people who have lost their homes and some help with medicines.
“This is how we should help. Not all people can fight. Not everyone can shoot a weapon.
“That’s why I am trying to help my home town. After the first bombings I contacted the mayor and asked what was needed for the military.
“Many children will be left without parents, many families will be left without homes. We all have to help each other.”
Yarmolenko is also grateful to West Ham fans, some who fly Ukraine flags at games.
He said: “They are trying to support us in every possible way.”
