The Ukrainian fencing team who went head-to-head with their counterparts from Russia at the 2022 World Cup have returned to their homeland to help in the war efforts.
The fencers had travelled to Cairo, Egypt when President Vladimir Putin ordered his army into Ukraine, and since then over 350 civilians have been confirmed dead, and thousands more injured.
Andrii Scherba, who also competed in a World Cup event in January, has shared how he and team-mate Andrei Pogrebniak abandoned plans to compete - and returned to Kyiv where they are now transporting life-saving medicine and food to help their countrymen.
Scherba and his fellow Ukrainian fencers were in the Sports Hall in Cairo when they confronted their potential opponents.
“The moment we refused to participate was one of the most emotional in my career, we understood that now our people need support, especially in the international arena,” he told Sportsmail.
“We decided not to remain silent and tell the world about the aggression of the occupying country so that the whole world sees the threat our army is holding back from Europe.”
Scherba explained that he had wanted to enlist in the military or the territorial defence unit, but his offer was declined, report Mirror Online.
“I was told that there were already enough people and only recruits with military experience [were wanted]. So now I’m volunteering, taking medicine to the least accessible places and helping with fundraising and equipment for the army,” he continued.
“There is an acute shortage of medicines. It is dangerous to deliver, there is often an evacuation siren and you are on the road and there is no shelter nearby.”
A 40-mile long Russian military convoy had steadily approached Kyiv before attacks were launched on the capital city.
“I think if the Russians attack the city, we will all take part in the defence, we will not give up our city,” he said.
“It is very painful to watch families at railway stations and airports trying to save their children and going abroad. A lot of people are scared and not sure that tomorrow will come.
“But I want to tell you that when I returned home, I saw that our people believe in the army and the president and are not going to give up their country. Why should I leave it if it is our land, my homeland? Moreover, our people are so ready to fight.”
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