Seven years after Ukraine lost control of this industrial city to heavily-armed Russian-backed separatists, who still rule Donetsk today, residents are divided over who to support in the European football championships. The question cuts to the heart of the war-ravaged region’s identity, with some residents feeling close to Russia despite living in an area internationally recognized as Ukraine and others cheering on the Ukrainian national team that will be in Rome on Saturday. I am due to face England.
Donetsk is now the capital of a self-proclaimed pro-Russian separatist republic, carved out of vicious fighting that began in 2014. The conflict, which continues, has killed nearly 14,000 people and displaced thousands.
The European Football Championship is of particular importance to many here, who recall that in 2012 Donysk hosted some of the tournament’s matches, including England–Ukraine, which the English side won 1–0. was.
Sergei Rudenko, 45, was in that game and is still angry that what he said was the referee’s decision not to recognize a Ukrainian shot that crossed the English goal line.
“Maybe fairness will prevail this time,” said Rudenko, wearing the jersey of local team FC Shakhtar Donetsk.
Others are thrilled at the prospect of a Ukraine-England rematch that is reminiscent of more peaceful times.
“The (Ukrainian) team has players from Donetsk, so we support them,” said 52-year-old Andrei Salko.
“I cheer for strong teams. We will support Ukraine as the match approaches.”
changing loyalty
Other residents switched their sporting allegiance after the region’s political change and supported the Russian national football team, not Ukraine, in the tournament.
Russia was beaten 4-1 by Denmark last month.
“It was bad when Russia, our people, lost,” said Denis, a 42-year-old construction worker.
“I was supporting Russia, but they got out of the tournament. Then I started supporting France, but then they also dropped out,” said Viktor, a 70-year-old pensioner.
Rudenko said this year’s tournament made him nostalgic for 2012, the year Donetsk hosted some Euro matches.
“We had signs on billboards, signs all over the roads, cars rang. Now that’s less,” he said.
The Donbass Arena, which was once the home of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, has not been in use since the start of fighting in 2014.
The conflict forced the club to play away from its home ground, and the area around the 52,000-seat stadium is now empty and empty.
“It was ready to host matches, but it’s been too long since anyone played there. We don’t even know what is now,” said Victor, a pensioner.
The Ukrainian government, which wants Donetsk and the wider region back, has used the tournament to try to unify the country.
After Ukraine secured their place in the quarter-finals with a dramatic extra-time victory over Sweden, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that Ukraine was a team that stretched from separatist-held territories to Crimea, which Russia captured in 2014. had done .
Ukraine also unveiled the Euro jersey last month that showed the country’s borders, which included Crimea.
Russia, which says Crimea is part of its territory despite being recognized internationally as Ukraine, objected to the jersey.
After Ukraine made the quarter-finals, Zelensky and his ministers wore jerseys to a cabinet meeting in a display of national unity.
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