A scandal erupted around the defender of Shakhtari and the Ukrainian national team Yukhim Konoplya after screenshots of his likes under publications about Russia and with statements by Vladimir Zhirinovsky appeared online. Journalist and serviceman of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Andrey Senkiv proposed a concrete way to compensate for the mistake: financially support his 53rd separate reconnaissance battalion as part of a public apology.

" I am planning to financially support my battalion. Pan Blenutse, he threw a similar salary at the ZSU. I want to make a big deal out of this situation,” Senkiv wrote on his social network account X.

In addition to the video with the odious politician, our football player also, using the “like” marks, admired the clip, which ended with the words “Russia is not for the weak, here, as in Sparta, the strongest survive,” as well as a selection with goals from the former striker of the Russian national team Roman Pavlyuchenko.

The Donetsk club confirmed that it is aware of the scandalous situation.

Shakhtar Strategic Development and Communications Director Yuriy Sviridov stressed that an internal investigation has already been launched against the athlete.

Later Efim apologized for what happened: “You’re right. I didn't put any intention into my swearing.. Did not support Russia and its leaders and followers in any way. I am a patriot of my country, I have drawn conclusions. I sincerely apologize. Won't happen again"

The day before, Russian propagandists spread information that “Donetsk Shakhtar are going to be included in the second league of the Russian championship.