Russia Ukraine – I Want To Fight For My Country -Andriy Shevchenko

As the Russia Ukraine war continues, Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko has declared his readiness to fight for his country

He said this in an emotionally-toned response to an AFP interview, asserting that he had thought about everything he is capable of, and where he could be most effective helping out his country in the war.

Shevchenko who won the Champions League winner with AC Milan in 2003 and the Ballon D’Or in 2004, said he could probably use the power in his name to lend his support.

He spoke amidst the truma of seeing rockets flying over his head, towards his home, and towards everything that he loves.

“I couldn’t comprehend the fact that bombs are falling and rockets are flying in the centre of democratic Europe now,” he said, speaking this week.

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“They fly towards my home, towards everything I love. I had to decide on what I should do to help my country quickly.

“I thought about everything I’m capable of and where I can be most effective.

“And I realised that I have to use the power of my name, to fight for Ukraine publicly.”

He had earlier accepted an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to become ambassadors for a charity called United24, and had a meeting with the president in Kyiv on May 18.

“It was the first time I came to Ukraine since February 24, the war had been going on for two and a half months already, and Russian troops had only just retreated from the city.

“I saw an empty, and yet indomitable, Kyiv. It was a very emotional moment for me, as well as my meeting with the president.”

The charity was launched by Zelensky to collect donations to cover Ukraine’s most pressing needs: Defence and de-mining, medical aid and to rebuild the country which has been devastated since Vladimir Putin launched the invasion.

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Shevchenko has focused on raising funds for medical aid and reconstruction.

“We are about to announce the first project this week. In total, over $200 million were collected in five months, and people from 110 countries joined in.

“I think I made the right decision.”

“The people I met in Borodianka, in a temporary house built for 22 families, have already arranged the living space there and met us with smiles on their faces,” he said.

“Despite the fact that these people lost everything they had, they keep enjoying their lives.

“And this is such a typical trait for Ukrainians. To raise from the darkness, always looking for the best in everything and supporting each other.

“Ukrainians evoke not only sympathy, but also admiration from the whole world.”

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“There are no words to describe how I felt when AC Milan announced they were releasing a special t-shirt with my number in support of Ukraine,” he said.

“A week ago, I left Kyiv by train, on the day when the most devastating strikes since February 24 hit Ukraine,” he said.

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“Today (on October 17), Russia attacked civilians again.

“A residential house is on fire in the very centre of Kyiv, a family expecting a child was killed.”, he lamented