"I'll Play at Euros Despite My City Being Bombarded by Missiles" - Mudryk

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Mykhailo Mudryk, along with 12 other Ukrainian players, spoke about the impact of the war on their hometowns in a video produced by Ukraine's football association. Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and Bournemouth defender Ilya Zabarnyi also featured, along with Dynamo Kyiv striker Mykola Shaparenko, who lamented the destruction of his childhood village of Velyka Novosilka by Russia.

Mykhailo Mudryk hails from Krasnograd, located in eastern Ukraine.

Ahead of their opening match against Romania at the European Championship in Germany on Monday, Ukraine's football team faces the backdrop of these devastating realities. Chelsea midfielder Mudryk shared that his hometown of Krasnograd has been under constant bombardment since the start of the war, where his parents still reside, steadfastly rebuilding their lives and believing in Ukraine's victory.

Krasnograd, situated in the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine, is also the birthplace of Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Ukrainian forces regained some control over the region through a counter-offensive in 2022, but in May, the Russian military launched a renewed offensive in the Kharkiv region.

Andriy Shevchenko, the former Chelsea striker and current president of Ukraine's football association (UAF), emphasized that while Ukraine initially aspired to host Euro 2024, the nation is now focused on defending its freedom rather than pursuing football tournaments. He underscored that every aspect of Ukrainian life, including football, has been profoundly impacted by the ongoing conflict.

The UAF conveyed that football, like all sports, is intertwined with politics and urged all Euro 2024 countries to support Ukraine during this challenging time.