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      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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      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.
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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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      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.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      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.
      Most read in Football
      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

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      in Boxing

      Ukrainian boxing champ Oleksandr Onyshchenko killed fighting Russians near besieged city Bakhmut

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      A UKRAINIAN boxing champion has been killed fighting Russians on the frontline.Oleksandr Onyshchenko – who was on the country’s national team – died in combat near the besieged city of Bakhmut.
      Boxer Oleksandr Onyshchenko has died fighting in UkraineCredit: East2West
      The sports champion was killed near the besieged city of BakhmutCredit: East2West
      The 30-year-old’s coach, Dmytro Dubrov, described him as “one of the best boxers” in an emotional tribute.
      He said: “He was one of my best students. 
      “He was like a son to me. I  coached him since he was nine years old. 
      “We went through a very difficult boxing path, he achieved a lot. 
      More on Ukraine
      “He was one of the best boxers in Sumy region and a two-time champion of Ukraine among young men.”
      Oleksandr’s funeral – attended by military comrades in the Sumy region and broadcast on TV – was held on Wednesday.
      A statement from Ukraine’s boxing federation said: “Oleksandr died near Bakhmut defending the Ukrainian homeland from the Russian enemy.
      “The Boxing Federation of Ukraine expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Oleksandr.
      Most read in Boxing
      “Eternal memory to all those who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of our country.”
      The city of Bakhmut has seen some of the fiercest fighting since the war broke out in February last year.
      Vladimir Putin’s forces took almost 300 days to seize control of the city which has been described as having only limited wider strategic importance to the war in Ukraine.
      Russia pushed forward just 60ft a day, suffered up to 100,000 casualties, and left Bakhmut a shattered hellscape in a painfully slow grinding nine-month advance.
      The city was once home to 73,000 Ukrainians and how has been left in ruins.
      Pictures show burning buildings and totally destroyed streets devoid of all life after months of what has been described as the “bloodiest battle” of the war in Ukraine.
      Ukraine says their soldiers have played a key role in their strategy of exhausting the Russians.
      And they say their current positions in the areas surrounding Bakhmut will let them strike back inside the 400-year-old city.
      The city was immediately on the frontline of the war when Putin invaded on February 24, 2022 – being regularly shelled by the Russians
      But it wasn’t until last August that the Russians made the city its prime target – pouring in troops in staggering numbers.
      Russia have estimated to have suffered up to 100,000 casualties – including 20,000 dead – during the battle.
      Nato officials believe the Ukrainians had been holding the Russians at a rate of five-to-one – meaning they lost around 20,000 men.
      The fighting devolved into brutal hand-to-hand and street-by-street combat – with some reports putting a the life expectancy for those on the frontline to be just four hours.
      Bakhmut had become a highly symbolic battle for both Ukraine and Russia – being dubbed a “meat grinder” and compared to the World War 1 battles such as the Somme and Verdun.
      Russian forces – led by the Wagner Group mercenaries and their deranged warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin – claimed to have captured the city over the weekend.
      Ukraine however remained defiant – and President Volodymyr Zelensky denied the city was occupied while his forces appeared to be regrouping on the outskirts.
      Ukraine’s tactical gains in the rural area outside urban Bakhmut could be more significant than they seem, according to some analysts.
      Phillips O’Brien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews said: “It was almost like the Ukrainians just took advantage of the fact that, actually, the Russian lines were weak.
      “The Russian army has suffered such high losses and is so worn out around Bakhmut that … it cannot go forward anymore.”
      The Institute for the Study of War reports that Ukrainian troops have bunkered down in the city’s southwest on highway T0504.
      Read More on The Sun
      It added there has been a “tacit acknowledgment” from Ukraine that the Russians control the rest of Bakhmut.
      Ukrainian forces however report they are continuing to push and are moving to encircle some of the Russian forces.
      Oleksandr’s funeral was held on WednesdayCredit: East2West
      He was killed near the besieged city of BakhmutCredit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      Huge stars lined up as Chelsea host Ukraine fundraising game a year after Russian owner Abramovich quit

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      CHELSEA is set to host a star charity football match to aid war-torn Ukraine.The game comes just over a year after its Russian former owner Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club.
      Alex Scott is being lined up to take part in the event
      England hero David Beckham is also ready to turn out in support of UkraineCredit: Getty
      The game comes just over a year after Russian Roman Abramovich was forced to sell ChelseaCredit: AFP
      Celebs including TV host Alex Scott, singer Niall Horan, England hero David Beckham and pundit Rio Ferdinand — also an ex-Three Lions ace — are being lined up to take part in some form on August 5.
      Ex-Chelsea player Andriy Shevchenko and Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko — both Ukrainians — are tipped to captain the two teams at Stamford Bridge.
      Game4Ukraine will raise money for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s United24 global charity.
      Oligarch Abramovich quit Chelsea amid threats of sanctions after Vladimir Putin’s Russia invaded Ukraine last February.
      READ MORE ON UKRAINE
      A source said: “Game4- Ukraine is going to be the biggest charity event of the year.
      “As well as a massive match, there is going to be a huge half-time show from a couple of big name stars.
      “It is going to be a stellar event.”
      The game is organised by Lester Holcombe, whose 2017 Game4Grenfell raised £900,000 for victims of the tower block disaster.
      Most read in Football
      Former 1D star Niall Horan will also be taking partCredit: Rex
      Ex-Chelsea player Andriy Shevchenko, above, and Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko — both Ukrainians — are tipped to captain the two teams at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty More