In an interview, the former captain of the Russian national football team openly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Igor Denisov, former captain of the Russian national football team, spoke out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in his latest interview. He described Russia’s actions as a disaster. His statement is the loudest anti-war opposition yet from Russian athletes. Denisov added that he is afraid of what Russia will do to him after his words.

Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has managed to keep anti-war sentiment at home at bay. To curb anti-war elements, the Putin regime has passed a law that threatens people with up to 15 years in prison for criticizing the Russian invasion and the Russian military.

Footballer Igor Denisov

The former defensive midfielder has spent his entire playing career in Russia. He spent the longest part of his career at Zenit St Petersburg, with whom he reached the European Cup final. He went on to play for Lokomotiv Moscow, for whom Jan Kuchta now plays.

He played 54 matches for the national team. He played a key role in the Russian midfield and even became the national captain.

Denisov’s interview

In an interview for the Nobel YouTube channel, Denisov expressed his negative view of the events in Ukraine. He described the Russian invasion as a horrible and total disaster. At the same time, he expressed concern about his future fate. “I don’t know whether they will arrest me now or kill me,” he said.

Denisov also mentioned that he had addressed a letter to Putin in which he begged the Russian dictator to stop the Russian war in Ukraine.

Denisov’s words are the loudest anti-war voice yet from Russian athletes. Those who have spoken out against the Kremlin’s actions are at a minimum as of today. Only in the order of units. Before Denisov, Russian football player Nadezhda Karpova was critical of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

In the early days of the war, another Russian footballer, Fedor Smolov, commented on the events, writing “No to war” on social networks. Since then, however, he has remained silent. Spartak Moscow player Aleksandr Sobolev made a similar comment to Smolov, but deleted his post after a while.

Russian tennis star Andrei Rublev also spoke out against the war, writing a clear message on camera at a tournament in Dubai

On the other side of the barricade of Russian athletes is the majority who do not comment on the situation or openly support Putin. The sports clubs have been ordered to openly support the Russian invasion and military forces.

The most prominent sports face of Russia with an open pro-Putin mindset is Washington Capitals hockey player Alexander Ovechkin.

The sporadic voices of dissent that are emanating from Russia, including, at the moment, thanks to Igor Denisov, are a hope that anti-war sentiment in Russia may grow and force Putin to stop the barbaric attack on a sovereign state. Russia’s sports stars can help this happen by their actions.

Source: The Guardian, Transfermarkt, Goal, Youtube