Ukrainian footballers unite in video plea to ‘stop the bloodshed’ in their country

A number of Ukrainian footballers have united in a passionate video plea to urge fans, players and coaches to ‘stop the destruction and bloodshed’ in their homeland following Russia‘s devastating invasion.

The players, including Manchester City‘s Oleksandr Zinchenko and West Ham forward Andriy Yarmolenko, have filmed themselves speaking into the camera to deliver a message they hope will bring about the end of the war.

The onslaught in eastern Europe has now entered its sixth day of brutal fighting, with thousands feared dead as Russian forces look to surround the capital city of Kyiv.

However, the assault has been met with fierce defiance from across the sporting world – with a host of high-profile athletes rallying together to voice their anger at the situation. Several recent events have also seen widespread protests.

The condemnation facing Russia is continuing to grow and now, the video released by the Ukrainian superstars is designed to personally appeal to the football world.

In the short clip, each of the players involved takes their turn to read out a number of lines, while a number of harrowing videos taken from the crisis play in the backdrop. 

‘We appeal to the football community, to everyone who is united by love for the game of football, every fan, every player, every coach, every manager, everyone who understands and loves football,’ the start of the message says.

‘We appeal to you to explain to the whole world and to show every inhabitant of the planet, that under the cover of special operation, Russian troops are waging an open war against Ukraine. 

A host of Ukrainian footballers have issued a heartfelt plea to stop the war in their homeland

‘They are bombarding residential areas with missiles and shooting civilians. We call everyone who hears us to resist this war, stop the destruction and bloodshed. 

‘We ask all the world football community to oppose Russian propaganda, to show and tell the truth about war in Ukraine by all possible resources. 

‘We thank everyone who has already done this and everyone who will support us. No to war! Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the heroes.’ 

Among those to also share the video on social media were Mykola Shaparenko, Andriy Pyatov, Viktor Kovalenko, Taras Stepanenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko.  

Manchester City’s Zinchenko was visibly emotional at the show of support for Ukraine

Zinchenko posted to his own Instagram page to issue a further plea for support, saying it is crucial to tell the truth about the invasion to the ‘whole world’. 

‘The truth will defeat propaganda!’ his caption read.

‘On February 24, the Russian Federation attacked the territory of Ukraine, a sovereign European state. They did it treacherously, while everyone was sleeping.

‘Today is the 6th day of the war. Civil people are dying. Houses and squares are disappearing, but our faith in victory is not.

‘The aggressor has launched a powerful false propaganda that we must fight against by telling the truth to the whole world!

Those in the video urged the football world to help defeat the ‘propaganda’ from Russia

‘We are Ukrainians. We are one. We are defending our land. We ask for your support.’

Zinchenko is set to start for his club in their FA Cup tie at Peterborough tonight. He was visibly emotional at the weekend, and remained on the bench against Everton.

Pep Guardiola has praised the 25-year-old’s mental strength, saying: ‘It will be good for him to show why he is here and a magnificent player needs to play football.

‘Human beings have the ability to adapt and overcome difficult situations. Of course he cannot be happy but in training with his mates, talking in the locker room… football is so addictive, the ball is so attractive.

‘He can forget for a short time. Then when he comes back home to his wife and daughter I can imagine it must be tough.’ 

A damaged armoured vehicle is pictured outside Kyiv as the Russians advance on the capital

The local city hall in Kharkiv narrowly avoided being hit by a shell with tensions escalating

Zinchenko also attended an anti-war vigil in Manchester last Thursday. 

Compatriot Yarmolenko, meanwhile, was granted compassionate leave by West Ham after the full-scale invasion of his home country. 

Today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused Vladimir Putin of using ‘barbaric and indiscriminate tactics’ against innocent Ukrainian civilians as he visited Poland. 

He also warned that the world is witnessing an ‘unfolding disaster’ but vowed the UK ‘stands ready’ to take refugees in ‘considerable numbers’.

Mr Johnson pledged to stay for the long haul, too, insisting Putin has ‘fatally underestimated’ the resolve of the West as the violence escalates.