Sergiy Stakhovsky has, like many other Ukrainian athletes, joined his country's military reserve.
The native of Kiev spoke in
L'Équipe
on what he saw.
After a long journey of dozens of hours, the tennis player reached the Ukrainian capital not without difficulty.
“
People are suspicious of possible small Russian assault groups, so they look at you with great suspicion when you try to pass.
We've already had a gun pointed at our head several times.
»
“
I hope I can see my wife again
”
Anyone who defines himself as a patriot felt obliged to help his people.
"
It's something that I felt a lot in me, that I needed to do
."
Not without some regrets and concerns.
“
Everyone tried to stop me.
I just hope I can see my wife again and ask her forgiveness.
»
Equipped with bulletproof vests that acquaintances have provided him, the 36-year-old is participating in the collective effort on the spot.
“
On the spot, they give you a weapon and you wait for orders.
We load and we unload.
I hope I don't have to do anything more.
“If he is not on the front, Stakhovsky remains in a permanent state of alert.
"
As soon as the sirens go off, we'll hide in the basement.
Last night it happened three times.
Sirens or not, I have slept very little for three days.
»
“
We need the world
”
The slender player of 1m93 has already been confronted with the horrors of war and tells it.
“
There was only one bombardment in Kiev today.
They tried to destroy the television tower.
They were unsuccessful but killed five civilians.
And take the opportunity to make a call for help to the Western world.
“
It's totally crazy and it has to stop.
But Ukraine alone cannot do this.
We need the world.
»
Not afraid of death, Stakhovsky concludes by trying to relativize, even to philosophize.
“
I try not to think about death.
We can all die for many reasons, no one knows when it will happen so why bother thinking about the worst.
This Wednesday, FIFPro announced the death of two Ukrainian professional footballers who also went to the front.