Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed that only his family has stopped him from travelling to fight in Ukraine.
The Manchester City defender, who learned of Russia’s invasion when awoken by wife Vlada at midnight last week, has continued training and was made captain for Tuesday’s FA Cup win at Peterborough United.
Friends from home have been sending Zinchenko countless videos of the Russian onslaught, while the 48-cap international expressed gratitude for the worldwide support for his homeland.
Oleksandr Zinchenko revealed his family stopped him from joining the front line
‘I’m just crying. It’s already [been] a week – I’m not counting – but even when I drive the car from the training ground, I can just cry from nothing,’ the 25-year-old told Gary Lineker during an interview with BBC Sport.
‘It’s everything in my head. Imagine the place where you were born, where you were growing up and there is just empty ground.
‘I can show you one million pictures and videos of every city in my country which they destroyed.
Man City star Zinchenko learned of the invasion from his wife Vlada (right) last week
He told Gary Lineker he was willing to take up arms and join Ukrainian forces
Zinchenko and Peterborough captain Frankie Kent held a Ukraine flag before their FA Cup Fifth Round match on Tuesday at Weston Homes Stadium
‘A security operation? Impossible. This is a real war. What they are doing is not acceptable. We need to stop this.
‘People there are sending me facts… they are starving. People are just surviving, sleeping underground and in bunkers.’
An emotional Zinchenko added: ‘I’ll be honest, if not for my daughter, my family, I would be there.
Ukrainian civilians have volunteered in droves to join the army and fight against Russia
Russia has escalated its attack on Ukraine, with sustained bombing and shelling
‘I’m just born like that. I know the people from my country, the mentality of them and all of them think exactly the same.
‘I’m so proud to be Ukrainian, and I will be forever for the rest of my life. And when you’re watching the people, how they fight for their lives… there are no words.
‘I know the people, the mentality of my people from my country, they prefer to die, and they will die. But they’re not going to give [up].’
Source: Daily Mail
