Oleksandr Zinchenko, a footballer of the Ukrainian national team and London Arsenal, said he was ready to serve in the army if he is mobilized. He said this in an interview with the BBC Newsnight program, UNN reports .
Details
"I think the answer is clear. I will go," Zinchenko said when asked if he would have responded to the draft if he saw more value in it than staying to play football in the Premier League.
The publication notes that the football player is subject to mobilization even under the old law - the new law, which came into force on Thursday, reduced the minimum age for mobilization to 25 years.
Zelensky signs law lowering conscription age to 254/2/24, 6:15 PM
Zinchenko also told the publication that his former school friends are fighting on the front lines in Ukraine.
It's hard to realize that not long ago we were in the same school, playing on the playground or on the football field, and now they have to defend our country. And, frankly, it is so hard to accept, but it is what it is. We cannot give up,
The footballer also said that he had donated about £1 million (almost UAH 49 million) to help people in Ukraine.
Recall
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has announced a "smart mobilization" that allows citizens to apply for specific military specialties, such as drone operator or artilleryman, in two clicks, facilitating targeted recruitment and utilizing civilian expertise to strengthen the capabilities of the armed forces.