Manchester City’s Ukrainian winger Oleksandr Zinchenko has said he is deeply disappointed that his former Russian teammates have not condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“I had a big group of friends there, but now it’s very small. I am very frustrated. The closest contacted me at first, saying there was nothing they could do. But it is not quite so,” he said in an interview with The Guardian.
“Of course they can do something. Staying silent means supporting what is happening in Ukraine and I don’t see why. Maybe they are afraid, because we see reports that those who demonstrate against the war end up being arrested,” said, who played a season at FK Ufa in Russia (2015-2016).
“But let’s look at footballers in particular, or anyone with a large following on social media. Would you believe that if everyone posts a message on Instagram at the same time saying ‘we are against war, we have to stop’, it will be Arrest them all? Of course not. It is a pity that they do not say anything.”
The player admitted that he was very impressed with the reports from Bucha and Irpin, and other sites occupied by the Russians and razed to the ground, that it was very difficult to focus on the gameplay:
“It’s a nightmare. Shock for the whole world to see the things they did. Horrible and terrifying things. They killed civilians. They killed our children and raped our women and girls. They killed dogs for food. And you can’t describe how I feel. I hate them so much, for everything they did to the Ukrainian people and Ukraine.” I hate people in Russia who convince others that this is propaganda. It’s embarrassing. How can they say that?”
Zinchenko continued his harsh, harsh speech: “People sent me pictures, real facts. Bodies on the floor for two weeks. You have to take responsibility for this. “
“Writer. Communicator. Award-winning food junkie. Internet ninja. Incurable bacon fanatic.”