A Ukrainian-born skilled soccer participant whose household immigrated to Canada when he was a younger boy put his profession on the sector on maintain to enlist within the Ukrainian navy on Friday.

Svyatik Artemenko, 22, had been visiting his house nation, which his household left for Winnipeg when he was two years previous, for a tryout with F.C. Podylla, an expert crew in Ukraine. He was given a suggestion to affix the membership, and he had even signed a contract the day earlier than Russia started its assault on Ukraine.

Hundreds of Ukrainians reportedly enlisted within the nation's navy within the hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the assault, which has now entered into its sixth day. In a Sunday assertion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that "[a]nyone who needs to affix the protection of Ukraine, Europe and the world can come and struggle aspect by aspect with the Ukrainians in opposition to the Russian battle criminals."

By the point Zelensky's message went out, Artemenko was already enlisted.

"I got here right here for soccer however soccer's canceled because of the battle, so I wish to get again on that soccer pitch right here and the one strategy to do it's to finish the battle," Artemenko mentioned in a Saturday video interview with the CBC.

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A Canadian soccer participant left the sector behind to enlist within the navy in Ukraine, the nation the place he was born. This undated inventory picture reveals a soccer ball on a area. Getty

Earlier than he signed with F.C. Podylla, Artemenko was coming off a championship run with Guelph United F.C. As a member of that males's semi-pro soccer membership, he helped the crew take the League1 Ontario title in November 2021. In faculty, the younger goalkeeper was on a College of Guelph Gryphons soccer crew that completed unbeaten in common season play earlier than taking the convention title.

Artemenko advised the CBC that when he knowledgeable his household and mates of his resolution, they had been involved. They requested if perhaps he ought to return to Canada to keep away from the battle.

"That wasn't even a thought in my head to depart or to flee the nation," Artemenko mentioned to the Canadian information company. "My preliminary thought at all times stayed with me to go enroll and go to battle right here."

Artemenko reported that he first tried to enlist on Friday, a day after the assaults started, regardless that he does not have a Ukrainian passport. On Saturday, he was permitted for navy service.

He signed up whereas within the metropolis of Khmelnytskyi, however he was quickly despatched to Odesa, the town the place he was born. Artemenko advised the CBC there was rather more preventing in Odesa.

"It is one thing you need to simply, get used to and simply adapt to it," he mentioned.

His former crew, Guelph United F.C., tweeted out their help of Artemenko on Monday. In a submit, the crew wrote: "WE STAND WITH OUR NUMBER 1. Guelph United gamers and employees ship love and help to one of many superb members of the Guelph United household, Svyatik Artemenko in addition to the folks of Ukraine."

Observe our reside weblog for updates on the Russia-Ukraine battle.