Svyatik Artemenko, a Ukrainian-born goalkeeper whose family emigrated to Canada when he was 2, put his career on hold to enlist in Ukraine's military.
said that"[a]nyone who wants to join the defense of Ukraine, Europe and the world can come and fight side by side with the Ukrainians against the Russian war criminals.""I came here for soccer but soccer's canceled due to the war, so I want to get back on that football pitch here and the only way to do it is to end the war," Artemenko said in a Saturday video interview with the CBC.
A Canadian soccer player left the field behind to enlist in the military in Ukraine, the country where he was born. This undated stock image shows a soccer ball on a field.Before he signed with F.C. Podylla, Artemenko was coming off a championship run with Guelph United F.C. As a member of that men's semi-pro soccer club, he helped the team take the League1 Ontario title in November 2021.
Artemenko told the CBC that when he informed his family and friends of his decision, they were concerned. They asked if maybe he should return to Canada to avoid the conflict. "That wasn't even a thought in my head to leave or to flee the country," Artemenko said to the Canadian news agency."My initial thought always stayed with me to go enroll and go to war here."
Artemenko reported that he first tried to enlist on Friday, a day after the attacks began, even though he doesn't have a Ukrainian passport. On Saturday, he was approved for military service.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukrainian expats in UK are buying military kit to send home'We bought everything within a 300 mile range from London,' Yurii, a carpenter who has lived in the UK for 7 years, told Insider .
Read more »
Ukrainian athletes join military after Russian invasionLess than two weeks ago, Dmytro Pidruchnyi was competing at the Winter Olympics in Ukraine's national colors. Now he's wearing a military uniform and ballistic helmet.
Read more »
Ukrainian brewery ditches beer for Molotov cocktails in war against RussiaA Ukrainian brewery has switched craft beer for Molotov cocktails in the fight against advancing Russian troops.
Read more »
Kevin McCarthy Bashes Biden Over Ukrainian Military Aid After Throwing Up Hands When Trump Delayed ItMembers of Congress who voted against impeaching Trump for withholding military aid are now criticizing the president for not doing enough to equip Ukraine against Russia
Read more »
Ukrainians in the Fashion Industry Join Forces to Share Information, Resources, and MoreSome are organizing rides to evacuate cities, some are sending supplies, and some are doing clothing drives.
Read more »