Ukrainian goalkeeper Mykyta Fedotov: "It started near Izyum, then we got closer to the border..."

Mykyta Fedotov, a 21-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper, came from the Pyrenees in April to sign a contract with Metalist, but ended up at war. Six months later, he is back in Spain.

— In the spring, you said that when the moment came to shed the military uniform, you would immediately grab a soccer ball and start training. How did it feel to finally do it?

— Oh, this is such a moment! Even now, I do not always understand where I am and what is happening (smiles). Like a second life. All people had a life "before the war" and will have a life "after the war". I'll tell you honestly: I'm very happy when I go out on the field, get in shape. He spent almost six months without training. It is difficult. But it helps a lot that the team has confidence in me. They have seen me before and know my level.

Despite this, being here in Spain, my girlfriend and I go to Telegram every 15 minutes to read the news. I'm calling the guys on the front lines. I ask what is there and how. There are moments when I am very worried. Fortunately, it's mostly good news right now. The day before yesterday we had a match (conversation took place on September 12, author). I sit in Telegram before the game. Every 15 minutes there is new news that our people have returned some city or village. I was so happy!

— I immediately want to pay you a big compliment. A few months ago, you were communicating in Russian, although you practiced Ukrainian. Now your nightingale — almost perfect.

— All my life I spoke Russian. My personal opinion is this: every person in Ukraine can communicate in the language they want, but they must be able to speak Ukrainian. That's why I'm trying to switch to nightingale more and more.

— How was your return to football?

— I spent a lot of time thinking about this topic. It was very difficult for me to make a decision, because football is my life, but at the front are the guys who have become a second family for me. When they heard that I had an option to resume my career, they all got together and insisted, “Please do it for us. You will give us emotions, and we will watch your games. You gave a lot to the army, so you can go with a clear conscience." Collective decision.

— How much time did you spend in the ranks of the Armed Forces?

— Almost six months. It started near Izyum, then we came closer to the border, above Kharkiv.

— What were the features of this section of the front?

— At the beginning it was very difficult. The enemy had a significant advantage in artillery and everything else. When we shot once, ten times came in response. But there is an important point - told the Spaniards about him. "You can't understand one," I tell them. — Ukraine will lose the war only when (no matter how it sounds) the last Ukrainian dies. We were and will be free people. We will have the president we want. We will have the power we want. And if someone else comes, we'll say no, it won't happen." The enemy's army had a significant numerical advantage. But our fighters are better, stronger and more motivated. Every guy is a hero.

— Have you been in close fire contact with the Russian army?

— To be honest, I have not been in contact. Given what I was doing, we had no right to do that. If we had come into contact, then everything was done very, very poorly.

— Have there been times when you felt that you were being protected by a higher power?

— There were such moments. One of the first times I came to Izyum with my father. We were doing one thing there. Artillery sucks - you plus or minus still understand everything. But when the enemy aircraft came into action, I thought it was the end. Thank God, it's over - everyone is alive and well.

— But after one of the shellings, your friend died...

— A very difficult topic for me. I have never experienced such painful moments as then. In ordinary life, we might never have met him. And when he died, it was a very painful blow for me and all the boys. And although they say that men don't cry... For the next four days I hardly spoke to anyone. When you see his family, his mother, when you carry this coffin, it is extremely difficult. He is a hero. Did it for us. If it weren't for such people, we would already be flying Russian flags. But this, fortunately, will never happen.

— Did you capture Russia or capture trophies?

— The prisoners were already being taken. And then no, because it was not part of our duties.

— Is the war still a dream?

— I'm glad that I managed to leave, to recover. I sleep normally. It was difficult when they had just arrived from there. Someone slams the door, and you're ready. After all, such moments also happened in Spain. Recently, the city day was celebrated here. Fireworks started, and my beloved and I grabbed each other and stood under the wall of the house. Where? What? Where? This is already such a reflex.

— Is the father still at war?

- Yes, just like all the other guys. Now they go further and further. Already working in a slightly different direction.

— At the moment, you are playing for the double of "Ponferradine". What league is this?

— Tercera. The fourth league of Spain.

— How many matches did you manage to play?

- Only one. We lost 1-3 last Saturday, but the most important thing for me right now is that I'm getting in shape. The team is understanding, everyone helps.

— A chance for the first team — real?

— At the heart of "Ponferradine" are two high-level goalkeepers. The first number going to the World Cup is Iranian Abedzadeh. The second goalkeeper, Makaridze, played for the Georgian national team. I learn from them, get in shape, and then my task is to create competition for them, to breathe on their backs.

— Ponferradine started the new Segunda season with two wins, but then came a streak of three defeats. What is the reason for such a sharp drop?

— The last game against Zaragoza was a draw, but the opponent was a little more fortunate. The decisive goal was scored from the standard, pushed. Our team is strong, very good team and coaching staff. I think that this unsuccessful streak will be quickly broken. Some players arrived near the end of the transfer window. They need a little acclimatization.

— Dmytro Khomchenovskyi once played in Ponferradine. Is he still mentioned?

— Yes, they remember. Mainly the club staff. I was told that there was such a player from Ukraine. "A very strong football player, but our championship did not suit him."

— In the team — Jordan Lukaku, brother of Romelu, former Lazio defender. Doesn't pant? Simple in communication?

— There are enough people here who have played in the top leagues of other countries. Everyone is calm, sociable. There is no such thing as someone you can't touch in training - they play hard. The team is great. It doesn't matter who you are or where you've played before. Jordan is no exception. But he communicates in English, so I have a little less contact with him. Powerful, though not as big as Romelu.

— You are among the Spanish journalists — on hold? Apparently, everyone wants an interview with a war veteran.

- Indeed, the club received a lot of requests for an interview with me. But we have decided that it is better not to do this now. Somehow, at the moment I am a player of the second team, and double players do not give interviews. You have to reach a certain serious level to communicate with journalists.

— Interview in Spain — is it a privilege that has to be earned?

— But it is like that everywhere. I remember, I was 17 years old and played for Poltava. In the winter, sparring was held, I played one half, but they wanted to interview me. The coach saw this and said: "Get out of here so I don't see you. Otherwise, this will be the first and last interview in your life.". (Laughs.) Am I offended? It's not offensive, it's right. I was brought up in the tradition that when you are young you should be heard as little as possible. The right to an interview or a say in the team must be earned on the field. If you're 18 and you're Mbappe, no questions asked. If you are not Mbappe, work and prove it.

— How much has Spanish opinion about the war in Ukraine changed compared to the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion?

— Spain helps us significantly. For example, documents for Ukrainians are made quickly - literally in two days. True, there has been less news, so the Spaniards are less interested: "Well, they are fighting, then they are fighting..."

— Now our soldiers are rapidly moving forward, liberating the occupied territories. What would be the optimal ending to this war? Returning to the borders on February 24, liberating Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea, or maybe chasing the enemy as long as possible?

— I am sure that everyone wants to return the territories that were part of Ukraine as of 1991. I am sure that our warriors are very difficult to stop. But this topic should be raised by the military. Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea have always been and will be Ukrainian. Of course, there are residents who do not want to return to Ukraine. There are no problems - they can go in another direction.

Oleg Babii