Stepanenko: We remind people around the world that the war in Ukraine continues

The midfielder of Shakhtar and the Ukrainian national team said why the Pitmen need charity matches.

The friendly, charity match against Avisp Fukuoka is very important for Shakhtar, as it will once again remind the world that the war in Ukraine is not over yet. Pitmen captain Taras Stepanenko said this before the match against Japan.

The midfielder also called for more help to Ukraine in the war against the Russian Federation.

“Thank you to Japan, Japanese and FC Avispa Fukuoka employees for inviting us to play this important game for our country, showing attention and support to Ukrainians on behalf of Japanese people. We are grateful to be here, play it fight and have a chance to tell the world what is happening in our country, that we need support and help to be strong and end this war. Tomorrow will be a good day, good football, and I think all stadium goers will enjoy this match.

People are dying every day in the war in Ukraine. Yesterday, Shakhtar employee Anatoly Gross, who worked at NSC Olimpiyskiy, died and became a volunteer at Shakhtar’s Shelter Center in Lviv, where he helped Ukrainians who came from the war zone. People like our employee die every day – from missiles, machine guns, Russian attacks. Of course, it is very difficult for us, we think about it every day, but every day we stay in our country. Therefore, it is very important to carry out this fight and raise money to give it to our people, to charity and to help Ukraine in this difficult situation. Of course, we are very happy to play such matches, we do everything for people to enjoy them, and we play for charity. And that’s what we’ll try to do tomorrow. It is very important for us and our country to support our people. It is our responsibility as football players and citizens of Ukraine. Sometimes I remember how people feel when they live in peace. They go to work, school, kindergarten every day, and enjoy life. And this is how everyone in the world should live. But when you realize what is happening in your country, you should talk about it every day until the world hears. This is our mission, our purpose and our responsibility. Until the end of the war in Ukraine, we will visit other countries and talk about it, let’s remind the world that the war in Ukraine continues, that it is difficult, that people are dying every day, and that the world must support the Ukraine in this difficult. situation to protect other European countries from aggressors like Russia who are doing terrible things.

Honestly, I don’t know how people feel and what they know about the situation in Ukraine, because maybe in Japan it seems to you that interest has decreased, but in Ukraine I see it every day among news, I see. everything going on , I have an application that reports air raid alerts. Every night, Russia launches missiles five to seven times. So I don’t understand the question either, because I don’t know. I live in Ukraine, my parents live in Ukraine, I have very high interest. It’s a shame if people aren’t that interested now, but I hope they understand that they have a responsibility to keep the world peaceful because that’s the most important thing. For me, for my state, for my people, it is important to work, live and enjoy life in a peaceful country. We did not start this war, we are victims of this war, so the rest of the world must help to support our country, our army.

I played in Donbass Arena, very nice stadium. One of the best in Europe and the world. Of course, it is difficult for us because we are not there. This is one of my dreams – to return to the stadium, play a game, hear the Ukrainian anthem. I don’t know if I will go there as a player or a veteran of this club, but I hope that in the near future Shakhtar will have the opportunity to play there and enjoy the life that was in Donetsk before the start of the war in Ukraine.

As for the conditions for training and battles, yes, it is difficult, because when you hear an air raid signal, you have to go to cover. There is a certain protocol. Sometimes it’s hard to deal with emotions because you never know what might happen in the next few minutes. But every day you adapt to life in these conditions, you understand that it is your duty to play football so that people can live normally and watch games. Of course, the game can only be seen via broadcast, as visiting the stadiums is currently prohibited. We play without an audience, sometimes it’s difficult. Although we are used to playing in such conditions, Ukraine now has such a life. What motivates me? My country, my family and my duty to the people. Our military is obliged to defend our country, and we should play football just to help Ukrainians live a normal life.

Sometimes it is very difficult to play many matches throughout the year. We travel a lot, it takes a certain amount of energy. But, as you said, tomorrow’s game is very important, as is the cooperation between our countries. I remember when there was a strong earthquake in Japan in 2011. And the president of our club allocated $1 million to help the Japanese people. And now Japan is helping Ukrainians raise money for charity. This is the essence of football – to unite people, to unite everyone in the world for the sake of peace and all that is good. Therefore, I think it is very important to hold matches like this in the future. Perhaps, when peace comes to Ukraine, we will invite the Avisp Fukuoka team to play in Donetsk or Kyiv. That would be great too. Good cooperation, good friendship, we are very grateful and excited about this game. “All for the sake of football and peace,” Shakhtar’s official website quoted Stepanenko as saying.

We would like to remind you that Shakhtar’s previous coach Marino Pusic shared his expectations from the match against Avispa Fukuoka.

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