Five months to the day since masterminding a Champions League win over Real Madrid, Sheriff Tiraspol manager Yuriy Vernydub has returned to his native Ukraine and signed up to the territorial army.
Vernydub was born in Zhytomyr, a northern city in Ukraine, and has made the decision to return to his homeland from his work managing the football team in Moldova.
A picture posted on social media showed Vernydub in his camouflaged attire, with two army colleagues, as unrest in the country continues following Russia's invasion last week.
Vernydub, 56, will join three-weight boxing world champion Vasyl Lomachenko after he revealed himself in full Ukrainian military uniform having joined the army.
As well as Lomachenko and Vernydub, iconic former Ukrainian boxers Wladimir and Vitaly Klitschko have joined the fight, too.
It has been an incredibly busy few months for Vernydub as he and his players gained global notoriety after defeating Spanish giants Real Madrid in Spain in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Karim Benzema's penalty appeared to have cancelled out Jasurbek Yakhshiboev's opener, only for Vernydub's side to pull off a famous win thanks to Sébastien Thill's 89th minute winner.
Busy fulfilling Sheriff Tiraspol's matches, the war in Ukraine has not been far from the manager's mind, prior to him returning to subscribe to the army.
'I have a wife, two children, two grandchildren, brothers and sisters, I wish them health and that this war does not touch them,' he said last week.
'When I arrive in Moldova, I will ask to go to my family, if they need my help I will always be there.'
He added: 'I want to leave a few words of support for the people in Ukraine, who suffered an attack from Russia. I am proud of the people who are defending the country.'
Overnight, blasts were heard in several of Ukraine's cities including the capital Kyiv, Kharkiv, the country's second biggest city and Chernihiv, north of the capital.
It comes at the start of a crucial 24 hours for the country with tensions at their highest following a threat by Russian President Vladimir Putin to put his nuclear deterrent forces on 'alert'.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv and Moscow will hold peace talks at the northern border with Belarus on Monday, but he has said frankly that he held little hope that the conflict would be resolved. Zelensky will not be part of the delegation in person.
Ukraine's health ministry said on Sunday that 352 civilians, including 14 children, had been killed since Russia's invasion of the country last week. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a 'special operation'.
Doyaeilnrz
933
May Allah Bring Peace and Stability in Ukraine
Fabianobus
781
Meanwhile
Vooaceikrs
602
I wonder why are we so much obsessed with the Russia and Ukraine story.. Where was the world when USA invaded Syria. I never saw anyone posting #Save Palestine. Then here you are all shouting save Ukraine... To hell with Ukraine
Joejust
306
I don’t care if whites are killing themselves there’s several war in Africa from Kenya to Sudan and Ethiopia nobody pray for Africa why does European problem needs African prayer they abuse our color so they should continue their war killing each other
zipaclnps
268
This is it. syria, Afghanistan, iraq and Libya was at war, the world never pity them. Today BBC & CNN are making noise at us. Gaddafi was killed called a dictator with no proof, but Donald trump killed Iraq military leaders with no proof & Trump wasn't a dictators, even though the world as for the justification of him been a proof. Gaddafi was killed only putin was against his killing publicly before they executed him, saying their no mandats for them to go after our black hero. we all know about the killing of so many black hero's such as malcon x, Patrick lumbuba and hundreds more because of the message of africa unification. Bob Marley sold his life for us just so we can realize and have a better life, you've never considered his days in celebration. Our mineral & resources are exported but in the market we buy coco, chocolate more expensive than they steel them, so they can continue cripple our economy. Even though they are now stealing our mineral, show me any organization of them trying to reduced the hunger for Africa children under the age of 5 in respect of our resources they are stealing, but abortion pill are coming to reduce our population. our histroy has been deprived. The only forgiveable side it in the east, not the west.... I've seen no history of east against blacks....... with all of these your have never considered its and feel sorry or get sympathy, but your busy creating noise. The people who lost their life in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq were they not human?. Gaddafi was was not human?, because he wants to bring quality life to us all in Africa. You...your self are you not human? I'm not in favor of the war, but their people made me feels this way. .... just 3 - 4 days wars yur busy mkaing this such, while other fought 10 - 30 yrs was, u get no sympathy on them...... what goes around must comes around... stop the noise!!! I'm one pan Africa!!!
Rohcdiopsy
229
There's absolutely no need for Zinchenko to go and join the Ukrainian Army, he is not a reservist soldier. He has a lot many ways of supporting the war effort in his country without being at the frontline. There are many women and children leaving Ukraine and some will soon arrive in UK since all the beurocracy concerning issuance of visas has been lifted, he can as well rent a block of flats and assist a few families get settled. Some young children need to continue with their education he can pay school fees for a few of them, it is devilish to start looking for individuals and trolling them, a war is a life and death situation you don't make rush or emotional decisions. I admire and support those volunteering to go and defend their country, they have made courageous and noble decisions but coming from a military background i don't encourage having many volunteers without a military background, in certain fluid operations they MAY easily become liabilities.
Abia12345
75
standing for your country is the best decision ever
RMA_forever
15
May Allah Bring Peace and Stability in Ukraine
And to Palestine, Syria, Iraq,Afghanistan, Myanmar
FlameTBNR
11
And to Palestine, Syria, Iraq,Afghanistan, Myanmar
And Libya and Lebanon
100forever
10
I don’t care if whites are killing themselves there’s several war in Africa from Kenya to Sudan and Ethiopia nobody pray for Africa why does European problem needs African prayer they abuse our color so they should continue their war killing each other
No, u are right. But let us pray for both continents, and hope that everything is resolved quickly. Wars in Africa do not go unnoticed, they are as relevant as the ones in Europe. God will bring peace, and Jesus shall heal your people and mine as well.
Alihhh
9
And Libya and Lebanon
Kashmir also 🙏
faith1984
8
Meanwhile
[image]
and one Bruno is in the red corner of manchester still without a spoon.