Russian soccer player Artem Dzyuba speaks out on Ukraine invasion in response to criticism
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Artem Dzyuba, the captain of Russia’s national soccer team, broke his silence on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Wednesday, calling the war "terrifying" but taking aim at other players who he says have "shocked" him with their "aggression and hate."
Dzyuba, who plays for Zenit Saint Petersburg, issued a lengthy statement on Instagram saying he never intended to speak on the Russian-led attacks on Ukraine because he is "not an expert in politics" but was forced to address the situation after being "pushed to this topic from many sides."
He seemed to be referring to Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko, who called Dzyuba out on social media this week for remaining silent.
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"I didn't want to comment about the events in Ukraine until the very last moment," a translation of Dzyuba’s post via SkySports said. "I didn't want to, not because I am afraid, but because I am not an expert in politics. I was never involved in it, and I was never going to be (contrary to many political scientists and virologists that have recently appeared on the Internet). But as any other person I have my own opinion. And I will voice it because I've been pushed to this topic from many sides."
Artem Dzyuba of Russia looks on during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group B match between Finland and Russia at Saint Petersburg Stadium June 16, 2021, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Kirill Kudryavtsev - Pool/Getty Images)
"War is terrifying. I am shocked by human aggression and hate, which is moving to a larger scale every day," he continued. "I am against discrimination based on your nationality. I am not ashamed to be Russian.