Andriy Yarmolenko demands Russian stars break Ukraine silence as West Ham forward blasts 'why are you sitting like sh*theads?'

Ukrainian star Andriy Yarmolenko has called on Russian footballers to condemn the invasion of his home country.

The West Ham forward has pleaded angrily with a number of players to break their silence on the harrowing war unfolding in Eastern Europe.

In an impassioned message on Instagram, the 32-year-old compelled stars such as Artem Dzyuba and former Arsenal winger Andrey Arshavin to speak out and condemn Vladimir Putin.

The Ukraine international accused them of "sitting like sh*theads and not saying anything".

Yarmolenko said: "I’m Andriy Yarmolenko, a Ukraine national team player, I was born in St Peterburg but grew up in Ukraine and regard myself as 100 per cent Ukrainian.

“I have a question for Russia players.

“Guys, why are you sitting like sh*theads, and not saying anything? In my country they’re killing people, killing wives, killing mothers, killing our children. But you're saying nothing, you’ve given no comments.

“Tell me please what will happen if all of you together, united, show the people what is really happening in my country.

“I know a lot of you, I’m familiar with many of you and you all told me, ‘it shouldn’t be like this’, that your president is acting incorrectly.

‘So guys, you have influence over the people. Show this, I am asking you, please!

“I know some of you like to show your balls on camera (Dzyuba) but now the time’s come to show your balls in real life.

“Thank you for your attention! Glory to Ukraine.”

Yarmolenko is a likely inclusion in the Ukraine squad to face Scotland in the World Cup play-off semi-final on March 24, if the fixture is able to go ahead.

Manager Oleksandr Petrakov has revealed he's in talks with his domestic-based players to see if it's possible to fulfill their