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      in Boxing

      I’m an ex-boxing champ dubbed The Razor shooting Russians dead in Ukraine…I was more scared in the ring than I am of war

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      AN EX-WORLD champion boxer nicknamed “The Razor” has turned his skill-full hands to the war in Ukraine to fight against Putin’s troops.But for the former light middleweight king Serhiy Dzinziruk, shooting Russians dead is a much easier task than any fight he ever faced in the ring.
      Former champion Serhiy Dzinziruk has fought in the war since Putin invaded and says he was always more scared in the ring than on the frontlinesCredit: Champion
      Dzinziruk was the world champion during his career and had an impressive unbeaten record for over a decadeCredit: Getty
      Dzinziruk (second from left) now fights in Kyiv’s Territorial Defence unitCredit: Champion
      Dzinziruk bravely signed up to Kyiv’s Territorial Defence unit in Ukraine after seeing the horrors of war unfold on his doorstep.
      He was quickly appointed as a unit commander and a reserve officer – a role he thrived in as the fighting ramped up.
      The 47-year-old spoke about his daily wartime routine saying: “We have two machine guns, a searchlight, a night vision device.
      “When the siren starts, we take positions, wait for the shaheds [drones]. Our task is to destroy them. We shoot only our zone at 45 degrees.
      READ MORE IN BRAVE BOXERS
      “We were trained for about a month, we learned to shoot with various weapons. Guys returning from the front for treatment taught us all the basics of military art.”
      After becoming an integral part of his unit, the former world champion is still battling it out against Putin’s troops on the frontlines to this day.
      But his current situation inside cramped trenches sits miles apart from his old life inside the ropes.
      Dzinziruk made it clear that despite the idea of barbaric warfare being a far cry from his usual technically perfect boxing skills, he found one much scarier than the other.
      Most read in Boxing
      He said in an interview with UP-Sport: “I did not take the threat of a full-scale invasion seriously. I did not prepare for this but when I entered the ring, preparation for championship fights lasted two to three months. 
      “There is time to study the opponent, think about the scenario of the upcoming match and get a little excited. In our work, there is no time for that. So I was more worried in the ring.”
      Vitali Klitschko says Kyiv is ‘encircled’ by Russians trying to take capital as ex-boxing champ warns them to ‘go home’
      The best heavyweight of a generation Wladimir Klitschko previously dubbed Dzinziruk “one of the most technical boxers in the world”.
      This expert ability to hit and not get hit by his formidable opponents earned Dzinziruk an impressive 37 wins across his 40-fight career.
      He also earned the nickname of “The Razor” for his unique ability to leave almost all of his opponents with nasty cuts on their face from his lightening fast hands.
      From 1999 all the way through to 2010, Dzinziruk was unbeaten with a perfect 37-0 record.
      He managed to pick up the WBO Inter-Continental, European and then the light middleweight title in this incredible run.
      Dzinziruk even gave Putin a stern warning saying: “For his crimes against millions of Ukrainians, he should die slowly and painfully.”
      When asked which other Ukrainian fighters he would like to fight alongside in the war Dzinziruk listed an impressive five names of former world champions and one current in Oleksandr Usyk.
      His other four were Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko and Andrii Kotelnyk and Yura Nuzhnenko. 
      BOXERS ON THE FRONTLINE
      Oleksandr Usyk – the fearless unbeaten father-of three, followed in the footsteps of Dzinziruk and also enlisted with the Kyiv Territorial Defence when the war first broke out.
      The world champion says he lost friends, was separated from family and even saw people die through binoculars when he helped out.
      He explained: “Through binoculars, from 900 metres, I saw my enemies running, exploding tanks and broken houses. I saw people with no legs and arms.
      “I saw people walking but looking like they were dead.
      “When I was going in the car around the city, I realised it was a dead city. I saw children’s toys and playgrounds but everything looked dead, there was no energy in the city.”
      But perhaps the greatest ex-boxer to enlist for the fight in Ukraine is Wladimir Klitschko.
      Wladimir has refused a boxing comeback in recent years as he pledged to fight on the frontline.
      He enlisted in Ukraine’s reserve army in early February and has publicly pleaded with Russia to end the war.
      However his brother Vitali, has done the most for Ukraine since the Russian invasion two-years-ago.
      The former heavyweight ruler, 50, last fought in 2012 and retired a year later to focus on politics.
      The father-of-three who married wife Natalie in 1996, has been the mayor of Kyiv since 2014.
      And as a result, it left the ex-boxer ‘no choice’ but to take up arms.
      He told ITV: “I don’t have another choice. I have to do that. I will be fighting.”
      Masterful southpaw, Vasiliy Lomachenko, 34, is one of the greatest amateur boxers of all time, leaving the unpaid ranks with a record of 396-1 and two Olympic gold medals.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      But he also pledged his loyalty to his nation and decided to keep fighting on the Ukrainian front line instead of box.
      Oleksandr Onyshchenko – part of the country’s national team – died in combat near the besieged city of Bakhmut, last year.
      Dzinziruk says he hopes Putin has a ‘slow and painful death’Credit: Champion
      Dzinziruk with his daughter Nadja after one of his fightsCredit: Getty
      The Ukrainian boxer had the nickname ‘The Razor’Credit: Alamy More

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      in Soccer

      Billionaire ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich LOSES bid to overturn sanctions slapped on him ‘for funding Putin’s war’

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      RUSSIAN oligarch Roman Abramovich has lost an appeal against the EU’s decision to freeze his funds over links to tyrant Vladimir Putin.The ex-Chelsea FC owner, 57, has been slapped with sanctions from the UK and the EU but has previously denied any financial relationship with despot Putin.
      Russian oligarch and ex-Chelsea owner Roman AbramovichCredit: Getty
      The billionaire is a pal of Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin (pictured together)Credit: Alamy
      Abramovich sold Chelsea football club in 2022 as a result of UK sanctions against Russian assets in the countryCredit: Alamy
      Abramovich is one of the richest people in Russia and is one of many powerful players in the country to be sanctioned since Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
      The EU also rejected his plea for compensation over damage to his reputation for £865,000 in a double blow for the oligarch.
      The ruling said on Wednesday that Abramovich is a majority shareholder in major steel and mining company Evraz, which gives “a substantial source of revenue to the Russian Government”.
      He has, as a result, benefited from decisions made by those in power who are responsible for the brutal conflict in Ukraine.
      READ MORE ON ABRAMOVICH
      Almost 1,800 individuals and entities such as companies or organisations have been slapped with sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine – beginning with Crimea in 2014.
      Abramovich was appealing against the inclusion of his name in the group of those sanctioned for their activities that finance the Russian government.
      The EU court said today that his inclusion was correct and it does not result in an “unjustified and disproportionate infringement of his fundamental rights”.
      They have targeted banks, companies, markets and the energy sector.
      Most read in Football
      Over 1,000 Russian officials have been subject to asset freezing and travel bans alongside the former Chelsea owner.
      The oligarch, who was accused of supplying steel for Russian tanks, has repeatedly downplayed his relationship with Putin.
      He has challenged suggestions of a close financial relationship or that he has acted on behalf of the Russian president.
      When he sold Chelsea FC in 2022, he said: “I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC.
      “As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart.
      “In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.
      “The sale of the Club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club.”
      The Russian said at the time that his team would set up a charitable foundation, with all proceeds of the sale donated.
      He said: “All money raised will benefit all victims of the war in Ukraine.
      “This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Just days ago the Wall Street Journal reported that the billions of pounds pledged to victims of Putin’s war remain frozen in a UK bank account.
      Abravomich also holds Portuguese and Israeli citizenship and Forbes puts his net worth at an estimate of £7.2 billion. More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea legend Shevchenko made advisor to Ukraine war leader Zelensky – while Putin cosies up to ex club boss Abramovich

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      CHELSEA legend Andriy Shevchenko has been promoted to an aide to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, while his former Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich gets closer to warmonger Vladimir Putin.The Ukrainian footballer previously said the relationship with his former Chelsea boss would “never be the same again” following Russia’s invasion into his home country.
      The Ukrainian footy legend has been supporting his home country since February 24Credit: Rex
      Abramovich has been by Putin’s side since the war beganCredit: Getty
      Shevchenko is one of many famous Ukrainians now acting in an official capacityCredit: Instagram @u24.gov.ua
      In a written decree, Zelensky’s office said: “Andriy Shevchenko is appointed advisor to the President of Ukraine (out of state).”
      No details have emerged about the nature of his role, but Shevchenko has been outspoken in support for his homeland as it continues to battle off the Russian invasion.
      In May 2022, the Ukrainian footy legend was named an ambassador for Ukraine’s UNITED25 fundraising platform, which has raised millions to aide in the rebuilding of Ukraine.
      Since the invasion began, Shevchenko has focused on carrying out his patriotic duties as he looks for peace and helps his compatriots flee war-torn Ukraine.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      Abramovich, on the other hand, has been slapped with sanctions by the UK government due to his alleged ties with Putin.
      Shevchenko and former boss Abramovich had a “long relationship” in the football world before the conflict between their home countries tore them apart.
      Shevchenko formerly said: “I said from the beginning, I did not believe that this (war) could happen.
      “Abramovich and I had a long relationship and I don’t think it will ever be the same. But I also know there are a lot of Russian people who want to stop the war.
      Most read in Football
      Only days ago, Russian State Media was banned from criticising billionaire Abramovich, who had taken part in “negotiations” bwteen Russia and Ukraine early in the war.
      Independent media The Moscow Times indicated that Abramovich would not normally be beyond criticism from Russia’s anti-Western state media. 
      They said: “A year ago, he participated in negotiations that ended unsuccessfully for Russia.”
      Abramovich is known to maintain solid relations with Putin despite obtaining Israeli citizenship and living mainly outside his homeland.
      Soviet-born Abramovich is one of Russia’s richest men, and earlier served as a Putin-loyal governor for the far-flung Chukotka region. 
      The reason for the diktat on Abramovich are unknown, but the former footy boss has continued to live a lavish life even while under sanctions.
      Other sports stars have become involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict: Arsenal star Oleg Luzhny returned to Ukraine to fight on the frontline.
      Boxers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko also enlisted to help the heroic defensive effort by Ukraine.
      Recently retired tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky, who beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2013, has also enlisted aged 36.
      Abramovich has been close with Putin for decadesCredit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      Ukraine 1 England 1: Kyle Walker comes to the rescue after Zinchenko’s opener but Three Lions lose 100% Euro 2024 record

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      KYLE WALKER’S maiden international goal, in his 77th England appearance, kept Gareth Southgate’s side on course for next summer’s Euros. A stunning assist from skipper Harry Kane allowed the outstanding Manchester City full-back to equalise just before half-time after Oleksandr Zinchenko had fired Ukraine into a shock lead. 
      Kyle Walker rescued a draw for England against UkraineCredit: AP
      Oleksandr Zinchenko fired Ukraine into the leadCredit: Getty
      Zinchenko celebrates netting the openerCredit: Reuters
      Walker netted an equaliser before half timeCredit: PA
      The goal was Walker’s first ever for EnglandCredit: Getty
      But this was England’s most disappointing performance since the World Cup group-stage draw with the United States, as they gave up their 100 per cent record in this qualifying campaign. 
      Despite a host of in-form attacking players, Southgate’s team lacked their usual fluency and failed to create enough clear-cut chances despite dominating possession at the Tarczynski Arena in the Polish city of Ukraine. 
      A passionate crowd of displaced Ukrainian fans, exiled from their war-torn homeland, roared on Sergiy Rebrov’s side, who defended stoutly and were threatening on the counter-attack. 
      England will now have to wait until next month’s Wembley clash with Italy, at the earliest, before they clinch qualification for the finals in Germany. 
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The Three Lions now face an in-form Scotland in a Hampden Park ‘friendly’ on Tuesday and Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army will have little to fear on the basis of this sloppy display.
      Southgate could call on a clutch of players inspired by summer moves – Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Maddison. 
      But his most controversial selection was that of Jordan Henderson, whose switch to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq has caused a storm with LGBT fans, while also casting doubt on his international future in footballing terms. 
      Ukraine’s players were draped in their national flag for the anthems and there was a feverish atmosphere before kick-off among the thousands of Ukrainian fans living here in Poland.
      Most read in Football
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      Jordan Henderson started for England in midfieldCredit: Reuters
      Jude Bellingham started the game with confidenceCredit: Getty
      England were utterly dominant early on – with Bellingham full of confidence and invention – but they were unable to carve out a decent scoring opportunity.
      Bukayo Saka appeared to be inhibited by an early knock and Ukraine, having defended assuredly, began to grow as an attacking force. 
      There were a few shaky moments for the English defence before Ukraine seized the lead on 26 minutes.
      Their right-back Yukhym Konoplia surged down the right past Ben Chilwell and cut back for Zinchenko to drill home – England’s midfield having failed to pick up the Arsenal man’s run and Jordan Pickford diving the wrong way. 
      England were provoked into a renewed sense of urgency but Henderson skied a shot and Southgate’s side were beginning to show frustration – Maddison booked for a foul on Illia Zabarnyi. 
      Bellingham carved open the Ukraine defence with a diagonal pass but Maddison failed to capitalise with a poor first touch. 
      The place was rocking and England appeared to be wilting. They needed something out of the ordinary to equalise – and that’s what they produced.  
      Kane had dropped so deep he was standing next to his central defenders, to the side of the centre circle, when he conjured a visionary diagonal pass all of 40 yards towards Walker.
      Harry Kane set up Walker’s goalCredit: Reuters
      Walker finally netted for England on his 77th capCredit: Reuters

      The City defender chested down, rifled past Georgiy Bushchan and survived a VAR check for offside to break his duck after 12 years as an international footballer. 
      After the break Maguire headed on to the roof of the net from a Walker cross and a Henderson centre had Bushchan sprawling.
      But a sloppy Bellingham pass afforded Ukraine a half-chance but Georgiy Sudakov screwed his shot well wide. 
      England had been struggling for fluency, on a difficult playing surface, but they clicked into gear when Maddison fed Kane, who held it up and slipped a pass to Saka, the Arsenal man leathering a shot which Bushchan tipped on to the bar.
      Saka exchanged passes with Maddison, wriggled past a defender but had a shot blocked. 
      Midway through the second half, Southgate introduced Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden in place of Bellingham and Maddison, neither of whom had truly sparked. 
      Read More on The Sun
      Rashford had an angled drive pushed out by Bushchan, who then saved a close-range effort from a lunging Maguire. 
      Walker capped a fine personal display with a couple of excellent late challenges to dispossess Mykhailo Mudryk as Ukraine broke menacingly.
      Gareth Southgate must not prepare his team to face ScotlandCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Millions to cheer on celebs and footie stars today at fundraising match Game4Ukraine

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      MILLIONS will today cheer on celebs and footie stars in a Ukraine fundraising match — with the biggest roar at a school blitzed by Russia.Teachers and pupils will tune in to watch the Game4Ukraine — which hopes to raise £1.3million to rebuild the school
      Alex Zinchenko, right, and former Ukrainian international Andriy Shevchenko will take part in Game4UkraineCredit: AFP
      The players pose with President Zelensky as they revealed plans for the fundraiserCredit: AFP
      Shevchenko and Zinchenko survey the damage in Mykhailo-KotsiubynskCredit: AFP
      The televised match at Chelsea FC is the idea of Ukraine footie legend Andriy Shevchenko and Arsenal’s Ukrainian ace Oleksandr Zinchenko.
      Among those playing will be Gianfranco Zola, Robert Pires, X Factor star James Arthur and comic Russell Howard.
      The Mykhailo-Kotsiubynsky school’s head Mykola Shpak, said: “We cannot thank people enough.”
      The terrified youngsters cowered in a basement as the missile slammed into their science block, wiping out three entire classrooms and badly damaging scores more.
      READ MORE ON THE GAME4UKRAINE
      The kids then endured a month of hell as Putin’s troops occupied their remote village near Chernihiv, abducting and murdering locals and smashing down doors to steal food.
      Former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and Chelsea’s women coach Emma Hayes will manage the two sides who will play in Ukraine colours as the Yellow Team and the Blue team. More

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      in Soccer

      Zinchenko recalls heartbreaking moment wife sobbed as Russia invaded Ukraine as Arsenal star says he WOULD join fight

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      ARSENAL star Oleksandr Zinchenko has recalled the harrowing moment Russia began the invasion of his home country Ukraine.The Gunners full-back has spoken passionately in the past about the war and the toll it has had on him and his nation as a whole.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko remains concerned for the safety of his friends and familyCredit: AFP
      Arsenal and Ukraine player Oleksandr Zinchenko tells Piers Morgan he wants to fight for his country.”There will be a time, everyone will be there. It will be the last call.”Watch more of the interview on TalkTV at 8pm.@piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/wGNAN0jFR6— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) June 14, 2023

      Zinchenko spoke to Piers Morgan about the war on his TalkTV show
      Russian president Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.
      Now, nearly 18 months on from the beginning of the conflict, Zinchenko has spoken about his memories of how it started.
      Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said: “My wife suddenly woke me up. And she said, ‘It started’. I said ‘What started?’ She was crying, you know, like flooding tears.
      “I said ‘What’s started, what’s wrong?’ And she showed me the pictures of this invasion.”
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      Discussing his family and friends in Ukraine, he went on to add: “I’m so worried about them. And I’ll tell you what – the mentality of people they don’t want to leave, they don’t want to leave the country, even if they could.
      “This is their homeland. And I would for sure, after [my] football career, I will be living in Ukraine, that’s for sure. One million percent.
      “I was there one week ago and as soon as I passed the border it’s just my homeland, my place.”
      Arsenal man Zinchenko also stated he would fight for his country on the front line – much like fellow sports stars Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko.
      Most read in Football
      He said: “There will be a time everyone will be there. It will be the last call or something or whatever. It will be a call.
      “We go, all of us, we go there. Everyone will go. Of course [I would fight]. But at the same time I am thinking I am much more helpful from here at the moment.
      “But you never know what is going to happen. Maybe this is the last speech we are going to speak to each other. You never know.
      “And how many people have already been killed by this invasion? I’m not seeing myself hiding somewhere.”
      Zinchenko alongside his wife Vlada ShcheglovaCredit: Instagram / @zinchenko_96 More

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      in Soccer

      When my kids ask how much I did to help when war was in Ukraine, I want to say I did my best, says Oleksandr Zinchenko

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      ARSENAL footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko is struggling to keep his emotions in check as he wrestles with the enormity of the horrors being inflicted on his homeland.The 26-year-old captain of Ukraine’s national side has not long returned from a visit to a school almost entirely destroyed by Russian missiles.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko said: ‘This game is not just to raise funds, it is also to show the world we stick together, we are united’Credit: Getty
      Alex and Andriy Shevchenko at the destroyed school during a recent trip to Ukraine
      Alex and Andriy with their team shirts and President Zelensky during their visit to their countryCredit: Instagram @u24.gov.ua
      Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will manage Alex’s teamCredit: Getty
      Pupils told him how President Vladimir Putin’s troops had raped and pillaged after marching into their homes.
      Oleksandr, known as Alex, was in tears during the warm up before his first match following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
      Today he is expressing very different feelings.
      Leaning forward, he told The Sun: “I’m angry even now, not just since the invasion. I am angry every single day.”
      Read More on Oleksandr Zinchenko
      The question this footballing hero keeps asking himself is: How can he best help his country?
      Alex had considered signing up to serve with Ukraine’s armed forces, but was persuaded that he could support his brave nation in other ways.
      The eastern European country’s most famous current player is both raising awareness about the true cost of the war and funds to repair some of the shelled schools.
      He will be the captain of one of the celebrity sides in the Game4Ukraine charity match taking place at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium in West London on August 5.
      Most read in Football
      Alex’s team, who are lining up against one captained by Ukraine’s goalscoring legend Andriy Shevchenko, 46, will be managed by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
      ‘I was in shock’
      More than 800 schools have been badly damaged by Russian missiles, with 220 beyond repair.
      Through the Game4Ukraine match Alex aims to raise enough money to rebuild the Mykhailo- Kotsiubynsky Lyceum in Chernihiv Oblast that he visited with Andriy just over a week ago.
      This thoughtful young father explains: “I have a daughter who is nearly two and I hope to have another baby soon and I just want to do something good.
      “Because when they grow up they will ask me, ‘Daddy, when this war was in our country, what did you do? How much did you help?’ I want to look in my kids’ eyes and say, ‘Well, me and your mum we were trying to do our best’.”
      Alex’s daughter is called Eva, and his wife Vlada Sedan, 27, a football journalist, is pregnant with their second child.
      The player is certainly doing his bit to make them proud.
      This game is not just to raise funds, it is also to show the world we stick together, we are united, we feel your support, we know we are not alone.Oleksandr Zinchenko
      He is an ambassador for United24, Ukraine’s official fundraising platform, helped organise humanitarian aid supplies and set up the charity Football for Ukraine to fund sporting projects for young people affected by the conflict.
      The defender also had the day job of playing for Arsenal as they reached second place in the Premier League this season, the London side’s highest position since 2016.
      Footballing commitments, which included captaining Ukraine in World Cup qualifying games last year, meant he had been unable to return to his homeland since Russia failed to take the capital Kyiv last April.
      But the defender this month saw the price of Putin’s aggression for himself.
      He said: “It is a completely different story when you see all these destroyed buildings by your eyes, rather than by your phone.
      “I can’t say it wasn’t scary.”
      Mykhailo-Kotsiubynsky Lyceum is in an area in the north that was occupied by Russian troops for 33 days.
      The building is a mangled mess, its windows blown out and ceilings draping down to the floorboards.
      Alex continues: “We have seen the damage to this school. I spoke with the kids who study in this school and some of them saw Russian army in their houses, because they were so close to Chernihiv.
      “Some of them were stealing, some of them were doing the other stuff, which I don’t really want to speak about. Honestly, I was in shock because kids, they cannot lie.”
      He recognises the long-term impact on the mental health of Ukraine’s youth, some of whom are already displaying signs of PTSD.
      Team Zinchenko play Team Shevchenko on August 5 at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground in West London
      Alex adds: “I understand this is a big, big mental injury for them, living in war time.
      “Imagine you are five, six, seven years old and someone comes to your house with the guns, this is already mental torture.”
      But he also sees the positive power of the beautiful game.
      Alex and Andriy, who played for AC Milan and Chelsea, had a kickabout with the kids during their visit.
      He recalls: “They love football and when we were playing football together, me and Shevchenko, they were smiling, they were laughing.”
      The Game4Ukraine is a way of harnessing the world’s obsession with the sport to give those children hope for a better future.
      Alex says: “We have no option, we have to move forward.”
      The two 11-a-side teams taking part in Game4Ukraine, which will be broadcast live on Sky, will feature ex-players and showbiz talent.
      The line-up is yet to be named, but Alex will have to captain from the sidelines due to an injury.
      Born in Radomyshl, 60 miles west of Kyiv, his talent on the field took him to Shakhtar Donetsk, where he became captain of the youth team.
      He was forced to leave in 2014 after marauding troops backed by Putin waged war in and around Donetsk.
      The football team, once one of the best in Europe, were not able to give him game time due to the upheaval and his parents took him to what they thought would be the safety of Russia.
      In 2016 he was snapped up by Manchester City, where he won four Premier League titles.
      Alex was part of manager Pep Guardiola’s side when Putin expanded his attack to the whole of Ukraine in February 2022.
      Alex and Andriy visited Mykhailo-Kotsyubinsky Lyceum in Chernihiv OblastCredit: Instagram @u24.gov.ua
      The devastated Northern Saltivka residential area of KharkivCredit: Doug Seeburg
      He moved to Arsenal last summer for £32million.
      Alex has been lifted by the backing of the British people.
      He said: “After one week of the invasion, kids in Manchester came to me and they said, ‘Alex, we are all with you, with your people’. They were ten years old, they really understood.”
      But Alex cannot understand why Putin started this bloody war, in which more than 60,000 Russian and Ukrainian forces are estimated to have been killed.
      Throughout the interview he puts his hands together and stretches, as if his whole being is straining to comprehend this outrage against humanity.
      He is supposed to be talking about football, but the only thing on his mind are the atrocities being carried out by what he describes as “Russian terrorists”.
      There are many questions, including: “For what? They came to our land, to occupy?
      Alex also asks why Putin’s forces drop missiles on civilian targets or why they destroyed a dam last week, leading to the flooding of 29 towns and villages.
      But he has great faith in the inspirational President Volodymyr Zelensky, who the footballer met during his recent trip.
      Alex declares: “We are independent, we have our president, we have our people.”
      He is grateful for the military aid being offered by PM Rishi Sunak, saying: “I would like to say to the Prime Minister massive thanks for the help we have received.”
      That solidarity is vital to the ongoing effort of the Ukrainian people to assert their right to freedom.
      Game4Ukraine will help to spread the message of unity.
      Read more on The Sun
      Alex concludes: “It is a great idea to organise this game not just to raise the funds, it is also to show the world we stick together, we are united, and we are all in the same situation. We feel your support, we know we are not alone and it is so important for us and for all Ukranians.”

      SUPPORT GAME 4 UKRAINE
      THE celebrity fundraiser for Ukraine will be unlike any other football match.
      Stars from sport, music, TV and film will take to the field to play for Team Zinchenko and Team Shevchenko on August 5 at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground in West London.
      There will also be an extended half-time break, not just so the celebrity players can have a longer breather but because there will be a special show put on by “leading music icons”.
      The match will kick off at 6pm. To buy tickets visit game4ukraine.com.
      Adult ticket prices start at £28, with juniors and seniors from £15.
      The charity game has also been endorsed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
      If you can’t attend the game but would still like to make a donation, you can do this at donorbox.org/game4ukraine. More

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      in Soccer

      Zinchenko visits school devastated by Russian attacks as Arsenal star signs up to captain team in Ukraine charity game

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      OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO visited a school devastated by Russian attacks in Ukraine.Arsenal star Zinchenko, 26, and former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, 46, are ambassadors for United24.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko and Andriy Shevchenko have visited Mykhailo-Kotsyubinsky Lyceum in Chernihiv OblastCredit: Instagram @u24.gov.ua
      They also saw Ukraine’s president Volodymyr ZelenskyyCredit: Instagram @u24.gov.ua
      The duo visited a school that has been devastated by Russian attacksCredit: Instagram @u24.gov.ua
      Around 100 people have been hiding in the shelter inside the lyceum.Credit: Instagram @u24.gov.ua
      That is the initiative set up by heroic president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to receive charitable donations to support Ukraine, who are fighting to defend their territory against the illegal Russian invasion.
      Zinchenko and Shevchenko – who coached the Ukrainian national team between 2016-2021 – travelled to the Mykhailo-Kotsyubinsky Lyceum in Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine.
      The village was under occupation for 33 days from February 27 last year, with around 100 people hiding in the shelter inside the secondary school.
      A third of them were children, with the youngest only two months old.
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      On March 4, Russian missiles fired on the school, killing a worker on the first floor and destroying 90 per cent of the roof as well as the classrooms for physics, computer science and chemistry.
      Funds will be raised to rebuild the school from the Game4Ukraine charity match.
      It will be held at Shevchenko’s old stomping ground, Stamford Bridge, on August 5.
      Zinchenko and Shevchenko will captain each side, Team Yellow and Team Blue, the two colours of the Ukrainian flag, and tickets are on sale now.
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      Zinchenko enjoyed a strong first season at Arsenal as he cemented himself among the club’s most important players.
      However, he suffered disappointment at the end of the season as the Gunners’ saw their title challenge fade away after a run of poor results allowed Manchester City to overtake them.
      He was heartbroken by the scenes from his homeland after Russia invaded back in February 2022.
      And he was anxious over the well-being of his family – with his granddad and aunt refusing to join the thousands fleeing the country.
      Zinchenko was desperate to go and help his people – but was convinced by family and friends to stay in the North West and carry on playing for former side City.
      In the meantime, he has done his bit to keep his country’s sad plight in the public eye. More