Ukrainian volunteer Sergei Pritula spoke about the support of charity fundraisers from the players of the Ukrainian national team. He admitted that he faced an unexpected public reaction after defender Ilya Zabarny opened a jar for fees.

According to Pritula, Zabarny became for him an example of a conscious athlete who understands his role not only on the football field, but also beyond it. The volunteer emphasized that it is impossible to make a complaint about Ilya’s dedication in the game, and his attitude towards helping the country deserves respect.

Prytula, speaking on the YouTube channel “PRIMA CHERVONA”, said that he personally approached Zabarny with a proposal to support the Edinozbir initiative as an ambassador. The footballer not only agreed, but immediately opened a charity jar in the amount of one million hryvnia.

“Ilya ran into hate - unexpected for me, unexpected for myself, I didn’t foresee. According to a number of observers, Ilya should have donated this amount by default,” Pritula admitted.

Pritula also shared that not all players choose the public participation format. In particular, Vitaly Mykolenko decided not to open his own fundraiser, but transferred the funds directly, for which the volunteer expressed special gratitude to him. According to Pritula, all forms of support are valuable to him.

Separately, he thanked Artem Dovbik, Alexander Zinchenko, Ruslan Malinovsky and other players who responded to his personal requests and helped the training camp. Prytula noted that he personally contacted the players and saw a sincere willingness to help.

The volunteer emphasized that football players opening their own cans is of particular importance. According to him, this is not just financial assistance, but a manifestation of leadership, involvement and responsibility that motivates fans and unites around a big goal.

He added that the players are actively involved in the process, offering fans T-shirts, souvenirs and other initiatives, thereby enhancing the effect of charitable fundraising.

Let us recall that Ilya Zabarny’s salary at Bournemouth, according to media reports at the time of his transfer in February 2023, was about 67 thousand pounds per week (3.49 million pounds per year). Later in 2025, it was reported that he was earning approximately €2.6 million a year (around ?2.2 million) at Bournemouth..

In August 2025 he moved to PSG. There his salary for the first season will be a net 4.5 million euros.