Ukraine players join battalion as six stars announce military service ahead of Scotland World Cup playoff

Six of Ukraine 's current team have announced they have joined their military following Russia's invasion

Scotland 's World Cup qualification play-off semi-final against the war-torn nation was postponed until the summer.

The Ukrainian government is set to issue special permits to allow their international football players to leave the country to prepare for future games at training camps.

This would allow them to be exempt from the martial law rule that orders all males between 18-60 to remain in the country.

However, six players from Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk, who were all in Ukraine's most recent squad in November for their World Cup qualifiers, have opted to contribute to the military fight.

Shakhtar stars Taras Stepanenko, Serhiy Kryvtsov and Mykola Matviyenko, along with Dynamo players Serhiy Sidorchuk, Mykola Shaparenko and Heorhiy Bushchan announced they were now on military service.

A joint statement read: "We are now actively helping the Ukrainian army and war-affected residents of this country.

"In addition, we have helped to create a fund for the military which will help to deliver more supplies and necessities to those who need it.

"We communicate with trusted military personnel to help them in any way necessary."