Russian footballer calls for peace as Ukrainian coach killed in conflict

A high-profile Russian footballer has spoken out against the conflict in Ukraine.

Stanislav Kritsyuk, a goalkeeper who has two senior caps for the national team and plays for Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg, has called for peace in eastern Europe.

Kritsyuk's plea comes after Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk confirmed a youth coach had died defending his country's sovereignty.

Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine last week.

Many Russian players have stayed silent since the invasion began - suggesting politics and sport shouldn't mix - but Kritsyuk is now calling for the violence to end.

He stopped short, however, of condemning Putin's actions.

"All these days I, like many of us, are restless in my soul," wrote Kritsyuk on Instagram.

"It would be possible to find an excuse: 'Sport is out of politics' - and focus on training. But this is just an attempt to deceive yourself.

"Because I am not only a football player, but also a person, a citizen, a father, a son. And I am against anyone suffering and dying.

"To the world - peace, any human life is a value, clear skies above everyone's heads! This is how I was taught from childhood."

Speaking on Thursday, Shakhtar's CEO Serhyi Palkin confirmed: "One of our employees was killed, he was a children's coach. He was hit by a fragment of a Russian bullet."

Two days earlier, FIFPRO announced two Ukrainian footballers had perished in battle.

"Our thoughts are with the families, friends and team-mates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko, football's first reported losses in this war," read a statement.

"May they both rest in peace."

Many players have spoken out against the conflict, including the Ukrainian national team.

"We appeal to the football community," said the team in a collective video, which included Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko and West Ham ace Andriy Yarmolenko.

"To everyone who is united in the game of football, every fan, every player, every coach, every manager, everyone who understands and loves football.

"We love football. We appeal to you... no to war."

But Russia captain Artem Dzyuba has questioned why the conflict is a sporting issue.

"Until recently, I did not want to talk about the events in Ukraine," said Dzyuba.

"Not because I'm scared, but because I'm not a political expert. But I have an idea, just like everybody else. I'm against all forms of war. War is scary.

"I am against war, but I am also against discrimination based on nationality. I'm not ashamed to be Russian. I'm proud to be Russian.

"Why does everyone want politics to be outside of football, but forget this when it comes to Russia? I repeat, war is scary.

"In stressful situations, people show their true essence, sometimes negative.

"How much anger, dirt and bile has now been poured on all Russian people, regardless of their position and profession?

"The war will end but human relations will remain. And it will be impossible to rewind back. Keep this in mind."