Shakhtar Donetsk Defender Viktor Kornienko Joins Ukrainian Army In Fight Against Russia

The 23-year-old full-back, who has made two appearances for Ukraine after making his international debut last year against the Czech Republic, is the latest person from the world of sport to fight on the frontline.

In a post on his official Instagram page, Kornienko wrote: "I am in Ukraine, I’m helping the Armed Forces. Glory to Ukraine. So that we can destroy Russian f*ckers. Glory to Ukraine."

A number of athletes have taken up arms in Ukraine to defend their country, including boxing brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko.

Since Putin declared war on Thursday, Vitali Klitschko, who has been major of Kyiv since 2014, has said he is ready to fight alongside his brother.

"It’s already a bloody war," he told ITV's Good Morning Britain. "I don’t have another choice, I have to do that. I’ll be fighting."

Boxing's world heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, also returned to Ukraine on Thursday night and issued a strong message to his compatriots.

He posted on Instagram: "Some wrote to me that I ran away; I didn’t, I was at work but I’m back, I’m home.

"Friends, we have to unite because it’s a hard time right now and I’m really emotional and worry about my country, and our people. Friends, we have to stop this war; all of us together."

In a video alongside their families from a hotel in Kyiv, Junior Moraes, who plays as a forward for Donetsk, said the situation is "one of despair" after Russia launched an invasion of the country.

It was then confirmed on Tuesday that Shakhtar had moved their Brazilian players to Romania.

A statement from the club read: "We want to thank for the assistance everyone who took part in this process.

"The evacuation of the players was made possible thanks to the personal assistance of Uefa president