Player of FC Shakhtyor Salihorsk: Ready to take arms to defend Ukraine

Ilya Halyuza, a player of a Belarusian football club, explains his civic stance.

The website bigmir.net writes:

“Most people I know want to live in united and independent Ukraine and not to divide people into ours and not ours. We are all the Ukrainians. My family always support me even if sometimes we have different view on some issues. Sometimes I argue with my friends, but we never cross the line, because we appreciate our friendship. But I had to unfriend some people on social networking sites, because their behaviour was inadequate.

I spent five years in FC Tavria. Nobody knows how the situation will develop. I think they will continue playing in the Ukrainian Premier League this year, but the future remains unclear. I'd like Tavria and Sevastopol to remain in the country's championship, but... The main thing is that the Crimean clubs shouldn't play only in the peninsula's championship, otherwise football will die there for a long time.

I haven't received a call-up paper from a military recruitment centre yet. You know, I am a football player, not a military man. I must do my work on the football field. But I can say that if I have to take up arms to defend my family and freedom in case of general mobilisation, I'll do it. I hope this time won't come, and everything will be solved peacefully,” Ilya Halyuza said.

Midfielder Ilya Halyuza, 34, was born in Arkhangelsk, Russia.