PARIS (AFP) - Fedor Smolov became the first Russian international footballer to express his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia posting on Instagram: "No to war."
The 32-year-old Dynamo Moscow striker's post is against a dark backdrop and followed by a Ukrainian flag and a broken heart icon.
Smolov, who has 45 caps and has been called up to the last three national squads - expressed his opposition hours after the launching of the Russian invasion was announced by President Vladimir Putin.
On Wednesday, (Feb 23) Benfica's Ukraine striker Roman Yaremchuk celebrated a Champions League goal by revealing a shirt bearing his country's coat of arms.
The 26-year-old scored the goal that gave his Portuguese club a 2-2 draw with Ajax Amsterdam and then displayed a black shirt with the Tryzub symbol.
"I wanted to support my country. I thought a lot about it and I'm afraid of the situation," he told CNN Portugal.
"The club support me, they spoke to me and wanted to do everything to help me. I thanked them, although for the moment everything is fine."
Other prominent Ukrainian athletes, including footballers and boxers, have come out in support of their country amid the hostilities.
Manchester City fullback Oleksandr Zinchenko, who also skippers the national side, yesterday tweeted it was not just the eastern part of Ukraine that was under attack as Russian forces were targeting military installations throughout the country, including the capital Kyiv.
He also wrote on Instagram: "A country whose borders must remain inviolable. My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it."
Former Ukraine coach and the country's all-time leading scorer, Andriy Shevchenko, said: "Today is a difficult time for all of us. But we must unite. In unity, we will win! Glory to Ukraine."
Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, whose elder brother Vitali is the mayor of Kyiv, remained defiant in his belief Ukraine will survive the conflict, tweeting: "It has a strong capital, strong cities, villages and a strong solid and united people who value above all their independence, sovereignty and peace in Europe. "Its will to exist is infinite. Glory to Ukraine!"
Former WTA Finals champion and Tokyo Games bronze medallist Elina Svitolina also expressed her sadness at the invasion on Instagram.
