A soccer ball is better than rockets and shells. So the director of the Foundation for Historical Research "Founding" Alexei Anpilogov commented on the phenomenon when millions of Ukrainian citizens cheered for the Russian national football team and were openly jubilant over her victory over the Spaniards in the 1/8 finals at the World Championships. Despite the efforts of politicians, people understand that there is a common history, an intimacy from which it is impossible to refuse, the expert is convinced. "The fact that somewhere in Moldova or Ukraine are rooting for the Russian team, says that many residents of the post-Soviet space subconsciously see their country in Russia," Anpilogov explained to the "Free Press". In his opinion, it does not at all seem strange when citizens of the Independent, who seem to want to become citizens of the EU, do not perceive the sporting successes of European teams as their personal. "Residents of Belarus, at least Kyrgyzstan or Transnistria, still do not associate themselves with Western or Latin American teams, despite the fact that many of them have a very high level of play. Their play is admired, but as something alien, not directly related to our inner essence, "notes Anpilogov.

Then, as with Russia, everything is the other way around. It is felt as "its". At the same time, sports success is an innocuous sphere, it is not politics, not defense. Here you can get sick and be involved, without fear of accusations of treason. Russian politicians need to pay attention to this aspect, the analyst believes.. Sport, culture are much better than threats, and this can be taken advantage of. especially now, when the Russian national football team gave such a chance.