Source: obozrevatel.com
In the early hours of July 2, just before the World Cup 2027 qualifying match between Ukraine and Georgia, Ukrainians endured another harrowing night amid intense missile strikes by Russia, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the attacks.
In an interview with OBOZ.UA, Ukraine defender Illya Tyrtyshnyk, whose father and grandmother live in the Lukyanivka district, shared how he manages to prepare for crucial competitions amid a full-scale war, striving to keep a clear head under such extreme circumstances.
“Of course, it affects me deeply because my father, grandmother, grandfather, and other relatives live there. I always worry, especially when I see news about impending shelling. At night, when missile launches happen, I might go to bed a little later to monitor the situation. But compared to the people who are actually there, my problems are nothing. Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many heavy attacks Kyiv has endured,” Tyrtyshnyk admitted.
“Recently, when the strikes hit Lukyanivka, which is just about a 10-15 minute walk from my home, my father told me it was extremely loud. He even had to go down to the basement. Unfortunately, this has been going on for a very long time and will continue. I have to do my best to fight through it, control my emotions so it doesn’t affect my daily life too much because I still need to keep doing my job despite these terrible times,” the defender of Italian club Accademia Catanzaro explained.
Although preparing for the important game against Georgia in Riga, Illya has already checked in with his family to make sure they are safe. “Because the shelling happens so often, even when I talk to them, they say they don’t always go to the shelters. But there are days when something inside just jumps, and for example, my father decides to go down to the basement. But it happens randomly, without any clear reason.”
“Sadly, people have become accustomed to what’s happening and try to carry on with their lives. And, unfortunately, though it shouldn’t be said like this, the shelling feels like part of everyday life—people keep living, working, going out, and just hope that their house won’t be hit today,” the Ukrainian national team player reflected somberly.
Tyrtyshnyk recounted one particular strike near Lukyanivka that landed between his relatives’ apartment and another building. “I think it was a missile interception, but it fell about 50 meters from the house, creating a crater and shattering windows. That was the closest attack to our apartment. The nearby factory has been hit multiple times, but the last strike was horrific. They hit a market and a shopping center. It was brutal.”
The defender confirmed that these attacks profoundly affect him and the entire national team, but he tries to channel those emotions and anger onto the pitch.
“I’ve always loved representing the national team; it’s been a source of pride for me. Recently, when we played Lithuania in front of a full stadium, and our military personnel came out before the match, and the national anthem played, I got goosebumps all over. In that sense, my patriotism and love for Ukraine have grown. That brings extra strength, and there’s a certain energy and sporting anger in the team. Maybe even just regular anger, which somehow helps us make an extra push or leap,” Illya noted.
“Of course, I wish those emotions were positive ones that inspire us, but unfortunately, we have to deal with negativity and hope the war ends soon, that there will be no more shelling or sirens, and people can live peacefully under a calm sky,” Tyrtyshnyk expressed his hope.
But as long as the Russian invasion continues, Ukrainian athletes must keep competing and winning. “For us, it’s always another chance to remind people that the war is ongoing, that we play for the whole country. In Europe, it’s somewhat forgotten, and the war isn’t perceived as it really is. People even ask me sometimes, ‘Is the war still going on there?’ They don’t understand how serious it is. For us, it’s another opportunity to remind the world—Europeans and people on other continents—that the war continues and Ukraine, its people, and military still need support.”
