Former international soccer player Igor Denisov, at the age of 38, has become one of the few high -level Russian athletes to criticize his country’s offensive in Ukraine and stand up against the fight.
“For me, it’s not even a fear but a horror” and “a disaster,” Denisov said in a lengthy interview broadcast Wednesday on YouTube, referring to his reaction when he learned of the start of the military operation Russia in Ukraine.
“I don’t know, maybe because of these words they will imprison me or kill me, but I will tell you the facts,” Denisov continued before clarifying that “I love my country” and he had no intention of leaving Russia.
From the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, the population of Russia has suffered unprecedented repression. Authorities have introduced a law providing up to 15 years in prison for any publication of information about the army that they believe is inaccurate, including using only the words “war” or “aggression” to describe the intervention in Ukraine, so the fear of retaliation expressed by Denisov during the interview for his words.
“I want everything to be good and calm here,” Denisov continued, admitting that the first few nights after Russia’s offensive he hadn’t slept because he was “excited.”
Letter to Putin: “I am ready to kneel before you”
Denisov also revealed that he even wrote to Vladimir Putin asking him to stop the military operation in Ukraine. “I told him,‘ I’m ready to kneel in front of you, ’” he explained.
Denisov spent most of his career at Zenit Saint Petersburg and Lokomotiv Moscow until his retirement in 2019. He has captained Russia 54 times and has been a captain.
Opponent Navalny has already been supported
Denisov had already spoken out in January 2021 in favor of opponent Alexeï Navalny after being arrested on his return from Russia after several months abroad.
Several Russian athletes have spoken out against the intervention in Ukraine, especially those living in Russia. On the first day of the operation, striker Fedor Smolov, formerly of Celta and currently at Dinamo Moscow, posted a message on Instagram expressing his opposition.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
