Ukraine’s finest athletes have paid defiant tributes to a Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW) shown seemingly being executed by Russian troops in a video that has stunned the nation.
In a ditch, the unarmed prisoner is observed smoking. He exclaims, “Glory to Ukraine!” just before being shot.
Glory to the Heroes! was the response in the video tribute from tennis star Elina Svitolina, Chelsea footballer Mykhailo Mudryk, and others.
It is a war cry of Ukraine’s army.
Following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula, the proverb gained acceptance among common Ukrainians. Once Moscow’s full-scale invasion began last year, it has experienced a revival.
In the tribute video shared online, Ukrainian players representing numerous sports emerge one-by-one exclaiming “Glory to the Heroes!”
It follows a heartfelt appeal from President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I want everyone to yell out in unison in response to his words: “Glory to the Hero! Praise be to the Heroes! Praise be to Ukraine! “Earlier this week, he stated.
Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal and Taras Stepanenko, a player for the Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk, both appear in the clip. Serhiy Rebrov, a legendary former player and current coach, is also displayed.