Nikita Zadorov kept his mouth shut.
Nikita Zadorov spoke in a critical tone about Russia and its ruler Vladimir Putin. AOP / USA TODAY SPORTS
Calgary Flames Russian defenseman Nikita Zadorov has spoken publicly against the war of a famous Russian journalist and tweeter Yuri Dudin in the interview.
Dudin has more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube.
– I feel sorry for the young people. I am sorry. Instead of raising a new generation, we send them to die, Zadorov download in the interview.
Zadorov already stood against the war when Russia expanded its brutal war of aggression in Ukraine in February 2022.
He posted a photo on his Instagram account, which read “no war”. He hoped that with it someone might change their view of the war.
The story continues after immersion.
Raised in Moscow
Zadorov, 28, was born in Moscow and is a member of the Russian military club CSKA Moscow.
He has not visited his home country during the war. Partly because he was afraid of being drafted, but partly as a protest against the war itself.
– It’s disgusting. How can I sit in a restaurant in Moscow while people are being bombed? I can not do it. I’m ashamed.
He began to follow the actions of his home country more closely when Russia illegally occupied the Crimean peninsula.
He said in an interview that goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky proposed a joint statement of the Russian players playing in the NHL regarding the war.
However, according to Zadorov, the players were divided into two different camps. In the end, no common statement emerged.
– One was a propaganda camp and the other was a common-sense camp.
Zadorov is one of the few Russian players playing in the NHL who has spoken openly against the war. Supporter of war and Vladimir Putin Alexander Ovechkin in his own statement, Kaarteli was wary of the extension of the war.
Zadorov says Ovechkin has his own opinion about the war, which the Flames defenseman doesn’t share.
– It is his choice. I respect him as one of the best Russian hockey players, but we disagree on political issues and outlook on life.
Zadorov calls Russia a poor country where ordinary people do not have enough money. All walks of life have declined.
He hates the Russian government and especially the country’s dictator Putin, and hopes that Russia would become a democratic state.
No business for Russia
Zadorov knows that his words have consequences. AOP / USA TODAY SPORTS
Zadorov is sure that some of the current players of CSKA Moscow and SKA St. Petersburg do not support the war. they just can’t say anything.
– Unfortunately, people have to give up their morals in order to be able to feed their families.
Zadorov says he can no longer return to Russia because of the interview, but he’s okay with it. He is sure that there will be some sanctions from Russia for his words.
For him, it’s more important to set an example to young Russian players that it’s acceptable to speak up. He hopes his example will encourage others to speak up.
Vladimir Putin received criticism from Zadorov. PDO