Shakhtar donate £22m to war efforts as Chelsea agree to Donbas friendly

Rinat Akhmetov allocated $25 million to help Ukrainian warriors and defenders, as well as their families.

The #Shakhtar president’s statement regarding the transfer of Mykhailo #Mudryk and launch of the Heart of Azovstal project https://t.co/H9Cml1bBRx

— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) January 16, 2023

“That is why I decided to launch the “Heart of Azovstal” project – to help the defenders of Mariupol and the families of fallen soldiers. Their feat has no analogues in modern history. It is thanks to them, their sacrifice and courage in restraining the enemy in the first months of the war that today we all feel the inevitability of the Victory of Ukraine.

“Today, I allocate 1 billion hryvnias to help our soldiers and defenders, as well as their families. They will be aimed at various needs – from treatment, psychological assistance, prosthetics to the implementation of targeted requests.

“In order to comply with the principles of transparency, a professional, independent team will be formed, which will interact with the defenders of “Azovstal”, their families, patronage services, and volunteers. We are in eternal debt to our soldiers!”

New signing Mudryk was paraded in front of supporters at half-time of Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday after signing an eight-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The Ukraine international is considered to be one of the hottest prospects in world football and he is looking forward to beginning a new chapter in English football.

“I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea,” he told Chelsea’s official website. “This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career.

“I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.”