Kovalenko: ‘Russian soldiers killed my friend in Ukraine’

Viktor Kovalenko’s family is in Ukraine and a friend of the Spezia midfielder was killed by Russian troops while trying to flee the country.

The 26-year-old spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the ongoing conflict between his country and Russia, whose troops invaded Ukraine more than a month ago. The Ukraine international showed the picture of a dead body outside a car in his hometown Kherson.

“He was a friend of mine,” he said.

“He hid for five days before trying to flee the country with his brother and a girl. Russian troops stopped him at a checkpoint. They killed the two males and didn’t even give back their bodies to bury them. They kept the girl for three hours. When they released her, she ran away screaming.”

How is his family doing? Is it possible for them to come to Italy?

“Right now, it’s impossible. It’s too dangerous,” the midfielder said.

“If Russians see a car in the area, they shoot. They don’t care who is inside, whether there are civilians, women or men. There are three checkpoints before the Kherson border. There is another aspect to take into account.

“My parents, like many Ukrainians, would never leave their home. If they go away, they will find nothing when they return. Russians would go inside and take everything. What would you do? The choice is easy.

“You stay there and defend your home and your life. My father has a rifle, he hopes he won’t use it, but he is ready to do so to defend himself and his family.”

How often does he talk to them?

“I call my brother in the morning, but after 20 seconds, the phone cuts out. Communications are difficult. Then, I try to call my mum in the afternoon. I can’t understand how they are doing, I don’t understand if they tell the truth or if they keep some things to themselves.

“They fear Russians would hear what they say, they don’t even send me pictures, fearing that their phones will be checked if there is a search.

“My birthday was on February 14. My mother and my nephew (who is five years old) visited me in Italy and returned to Kherson shortly before the Russians’ attack.”