Former Dynamo defender Vladyslav Vashchuk toldUVwhat prompted him to take up arms and defend the country.
- I helped organise charity matches with the military and met the commander of the Bureviy offensive brigade there. He said to me: "Do you want to join us?". I thought: why not? The decision was simple. So I can say that there were no summonses, as some people think.
I found the "Russian world" in Gostomel, sitting in the basement with my children for 15 days and counting the explosions of Russian shells. I had enough time to rethink everything. I don't want my children to see the horrors that the terrorists brought with them anymore.
- How did your family take your decision, did they try to dissuade you?
- Let me say this: my children have accepted my decision. They know that dad is doing the right thing.
- How many years did you sign a contract for?
- It's not a contract, I'm liable for military service and I just mobilised.
- Judging by the name "offensive brigade", are you being prepared for the announced counter-offensive?
- Of course! We are currently preparing, I am undergoing training. I can't say anything else.
- Oleksandr Aliyev, a former Dynamo player, serves in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Did you ask him for advice about his service?
- No, I haven't spoken to him.
- Viktor Leonenko sent me today's photo of him standing next to you. Where did you meet him?
- We met in Gostomel. FC Mriya is playing there today, and Kolya Vasylkov asked me to stop by. I dropped by for just 15 minutes and immediately went to the unit.
- You are a man from the world of football who has never held a weapon in his hands before, not counting the shooting range, etc. Will you be ready to shoot at the Russian occupier if you have to?
- In war, everything happens so fast that I won't even ask myself this question. It's either you or he. For me, the choice is obvious.
Andriy Piskun