A BRITISH war hero on Ukraine’s frontline has hailed the spirit of the country as fans pack out pubs to cheer on their national squad at the Euros.
Shareef Amin, 40 – dubbed “Rambo” – has returned to Ukraine after he was hit by a hail of bullets by Vladimir Putin‘s troops as he ran through enemy fire.
Sergey PanashchukShareef Amin, dubbed ‘Rambo’, is back in Ukraine after he was hit by a hail of bullets while fighting[/caption]
Sergey Panashchuk/SAVE UA MEDIAYuri Prazdnikov watched the opening game between Germany and Scotland[/caption]
Sergey Panashchuk/SAVE UA MEDIABar owners in Odesa expect big crowds for Ukraine’s first Euros match against Romania[/caption]
GettyUkraine fans celebrating after the match against Slovakia last Friday that saw them win 2-1[/caption]
He was blown off his feet by artillery rounds – and told he could lose his right leg and arm.
But after being treated by medics in the UK, the former Brit soldier returned to rejoin his brothers in arms in Ukraine.
As Ukraine‘s national team go up against Belgium tonight, Shareef, who served two tours of Afghanistan, told The Sun: “Everyone is in a good mood at the moment.
“That’s the nice thing about football. Football brings people together.
“It takes your mind away from the war and the stress of what is going on.
“The beautiful thing about Ukrainian people is that no matter how hard they strive, no matter how hard they have it, they stand up and they try their best to not let it bother them.”
He added: “It reminds me of the way the British were in World War Two.
“We don’t let these dictators bring us down in the way they want to bring us down.”
Away from the brutality of the frontline, war-battered Ukrainians are seeking solace – and a glimmer of normality – in basement pubs and bars to watch Euro 2024.
With hundreds of power generators dotted across Odesa and Kharkiv amid Putin’s onslaught, Ukrainians are well prepared to catch a glimpse of the football as the war rages on.
With pop-up screens and flags draped from the ceiling, bars in Odesa saw big crowds for Ukraine’s opening game against Romania.
But it’s feared large crowds – whether in Ukraine‘s cities or in bunkers on the frontline – could attract missile and drone strikes from the Russians.
A Ukrainian commander in Odesa warned that the Russians forces will be “very interested” to find out when Ukrainians will be gathering to watch the football.
He said: “Imagine, let’s say, that the enemy knows that at a certain time we will gather to watch football.
“I am sure that they are very interested in finding out. What I can tell you is that we will be even more prepared to repel the Russian attack during Ukrainian fixtures at the Euros.”
A soldier with the call sign “Maverick” said there is no time or place for football in the trenches.
Other troops said they will try to watch the football – but only when they are away from the frontlines.
Away from the trenches, Shareef said Ukrainian civilians are “trying to live their lives” – and the soldiers are fighting for their freedom.
“We know all these problems are going on around us, but people are trying to live their lives,” he said.
“This is what we are fighting for. We shouldn’t feel guilty that people are enjoying themselves.
“There is definitely destruction and horrible things going on around the world right now.
“But we are fighting the fight so people can live their lives… enjoy themselves.
“This has brought a lot of people together. I admire the Ukrainian people. I am so proud to be a part of this country.”
Shareef first answered Ukraine’s call for help in March 2022.
But in October, an attack by Putin’s troops on his position left him with shrapnel wounds and he was shot twice.
Watching football in wartime
By Sergey Panashchuk in Odesa, Ukraine
Football has always had a special place in the hearts of Ukrainians and is treated almost like a religion.
Will ordinary Ukrainians and soldiers follow the Euro in the hardest and most turbulent moments of their history?
Last year, when I was on the Eastern Front, we watched a Dynamo Kyiv UEFA Conference League qualification game against the Turkish Besiktas with soldiers.
It was a surreal experience.
Imagine a summer house in a village a few kilometres from the frontline filled with soldiers who look like they are on vacation.
They just changed their shift in the trenches and came to their base to rest.
They were dressed in t-shirts and shorts, telling jokes to each other and heartily yelling to support their football team.
He crawled through the mud for help before being in hospital for weeks.
He was flown home on a private medical jet just before Christmas.
Surgeons in Bristol then set about rebuilding him before months of rehab — ready for his return to war.
Sergey PanashchukThe former Brit soldier said Euro 2024 has brought war-ravaged Ukrainians together[/caption]
Sportphoto24/Marco CanonieroThe team from war-torn Ukraine will look to inspire those affected by fighting back home[/caption]
Sergey Panashchuk/SAVE UA MEDIAFootball fan Ed plays table football in Odesa during the Germany-Scotland game[/caption]
Sergey Panashchuk/SAVE UA MEDIAMany footballers are now fighting on the frontline including Oleksandr Makhov, 36, Ultras FC Zorya, who was killed in action in May 2022[/caption]
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