Ukrainian and Manchester City footballer Zinchenko has spoken out about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the alleged crimes committed by the Russian army against his people.
The invasion, which began on February 24, has resulted in thousands of deaths and forced millions of people to flee their homes.
Zinchenko, a key player for Manchester City, has been vocal in his condemnation of Russia’s military aggression. He expressed sadness about the suffering of women and children in his homeland.
Speaking to the Guardian, Zinchenko expressed his feelings about the situation:
“It’s a nightmare. A shock to the whole world, the things they have done there. Terrible, scary things. They killed our civilians. They killed our children. They raped our women and girls. They killed our dogs and even ate them. I cannot even begin to describe how I feel about them.
“I hate them so much, for everything they have done to the Ukrainian people and Ukraine. I hate the people in Russia who are trying to convince others that this is propaganda. It’s embarrassing. How can they say this?
“People send me the real pictures, the real facts. The bodies of our dead civilians were lying on the ground for two weeks. They have to take responsibility for this.”
Zinchenko believes that footballers, especially those in Russia, can do more to condemn the violence.
Zinchenko said: “I have friends over there, a small circle, but now it has reduced almost to nothing. I’m so disappointed.
“The guys I know called me as soon as the invasion happened, texted me: ‘I’m so sorry Alex, but we can’t do anything.’ Of course you can. If you stay silent it means you support what is happening in Ukraine right now, and I can’t see why they would.
“Maybe they are scared, because we see pictures on social media of Russians being taken to prison if they protest. But look at footballers in particular, or anyone with a massive audience.
“Can you believe that, if all of them posted something on Instagram at the same time saying: ‘Guys, we are against the war, we need to stop it,’ they would all be arrested? Of course they would not. It’s such a shame that they say nothing.”