Mykhailo Mudryk Ready for Euro 2024 Amid Krasnograd Struggles

Mykhailo Mudryk, Ukraine midfielder, bravely declared his commitment to play at Euro 2024 despite the harrowing reality faced by his family in Krasnograd, his hometown, since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Mudryk revealed that his city has endured relentless bombardment since then. Mudryk, along with 13 Ukrainian players, including Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and Bournemouth defender Ilya Zabarnyi shared their poignant stories in a video produced by the nation’s football association.

Dynamo Kyiv striker Mykola Shaparenko also spoke of the devastating impact on his childhood village, Velyka Novosilka which Russian forces completely destroyed. Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s national football team prepares to face Romania in their opening match at the European Championship in Germany on Monday at 14:00 BST. Chelsea midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk expressed, “Since the beginning of the full-scale war, missiles have bombarded my city day and night.”

He emphasized that his parents remain in Krasnograd, persevering and maintaining hope for Ukraine’s victory. Krasnograd, located in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine, holds significance as the birthplace of Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Ukrainian forces had previously recaptured parts of the region in a counter-offensive during 2022 but faced renewed attacks from Russian military forces in May, particularly targeting the Kharkiv region.

Andriy Shevchenko, the former Chelsea striker and current president of Ukraine’s football association (UAF), underscored the profound impact of the war on Ukrainian cities, which now prioritize defense of freedom over hosting sporting events like Euro 2024. He affirmed that no aspect of Ukrainian football from players to stadiums remains untouched by the conflict. The UAF emphasized that football, like all sports, intersects with politics, and urged solidarity from all Euro 2024 countries to support Ukraine in its struggle.