Yarmolenko on sending family to Ukraine a day before invasion: I was a fool

The West Ham player has opened up on an emotional week in February

Posted Friday, March 25, 2022 by Marca.com

Andry Yarmolenko has revealed he couldn't talk when his family arrived in Ukraine, a day before the Russian invasion of the country.

The West Ham United forward's wife and child were in Ukraine for a doctor's appointment when Russian president Vladimir Putin launched the invasion in February.

"When it all started, on February 24, I arrived at training and couldn't even talk," Yarmolenko told Football 1/2/3. "I had tears flowing. I asked the coach to let me go home.

"I didn't believe this could happen. I sent my family to Kyiv because my child had to have a doctor's appointment.

"Can you imagine what I was like when it started the next morning? I just wanted to run and hit my head against a wall. What a fool I was sending my family to Kyiv and I am sitting in London."

Yarmolenko, who return to football on March 13 against Aston Villa and scored at the London Stadium, says he needed to return to the sport he loves to distract himself from the conflict.

"I couldn't sleep or eat, I was constantly on the phone to my relatives," said Yarmolenko. "David Moyes told me I could choose to train or not and that I had to do everything I could to ensure the safety of my family.

"I needed to remain professional so I returned. I was just going crazy and needed to be distracted."

What is life like in Ukraine?

The 32-year-old gave 75,000 pounds to the Armed Forces of Ukraine to help defend the country against the Russian invasion. Yarmolenko admits he's afraid to talk about the war.

"The ones there, where there is constant shelling going on, they are in a bomb shelter," added Yarmolenko. "They are hiding in basements, like all people.

"It is honestly scary to talk about it - to think how constantly hostilities are taking place when I saw what was being done to the villages.

"I am now without tears. It is impossible to perceive it."

Yarmolenko's message to Ukraine

The Ukrainian urges people to help each other and pointed out that not everyone is able to fight.

"My message is that not all people can fight," said Yarmolenko. "Not everyone can shoot. Now we have to help each other. If we do not then no one but ourselves will help.

"I am sure we will definitely not be beaten by any country, so that's why I am trying to help my hometown.

"I understand once this will all end many children will be left without parents, many families will be left without homes. We will have to build together and help each other."