JAKARTA - Yuriy Vernydub, the coach of Sheriff Tiraspol, made a surprise when he brought his team to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League. But recently he made an even more astonishing decision by choosing to take up arms to fight to defend his country, Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
The 56-year-old said he did not hesitate to return to his country after last week his son informed Russian President Vladimir Putin that he had launched military action.
"My son called me at 4:30 am and he said Russia was attacking us. I knew then that I had to go back to Ukraine to fight," Yuriy Vernydub said.
Vernydub is one of many famous Ukrainian sports figures, who chose to return to his homeland to fight. The world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk also made the same choice.
Vernydub himself received a call back to his country while in Portugal to undergo a Europa League play-off match. At that time the Sheriff lost on penalties against Braga after both teams drew 2-2 on aggregate.
After receiving the call, Vernydub spent 11 hours returning home to Ukraine last weekend. Although his family had tried to prevent him, he still returned to his country.
"I thank my wife for supporting me. She knows my character. If I make a decision, I will not change it," he explained.
Regarding the decision to go to war, Vernydub admitted that he had two years of military training when he was young. Based on that experience, he admitted that he still knew how to use a firearm.
In this mission, Vernydub voluntarily declared his readiness to defend Ukraine. But he couldn't reveal much about what he did on the battlefield.
"I'm not allowed to reveal what my role in the army is," Yuriy said.
"Now we're being ordered. Every minute we're ready to go where they say. I haven't used a gun yet, but I'm ready. Always, anytime!" he insisted.
"I don't have the slightest doubt that Ukraine will win this war. I don't think beyond that. I believe in it. I see this tragedy uniting us as a nation," he said.
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