Vitalii Mykolenko has opened up on the kind gestures Donny van de Beek and members of Everton’s coaching staff have made to him amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Blues kicked off their winter transfer window business on January 1st by announcing the arrival of the Ukraine international from Dynamo Kyiv. Mykolenko has won 21 caps for his country and was a key part of the team which reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
He featured regularly in Dynamo’s past two Champions League campaigns and was instrumental in his side’s domestic league title triumph in 2020/21. He has also won two Ukrainian Cups with Dynamo.
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Mykolenko made his Blues debut in the FA Cup win over Hull City. Then, a week later, he made his first Premier League start against Norwich City at Carrow Road.
After weeks of speculation, Russian president Vladimir Putin started military action on Ukraine at the end of last month. Air raid sirens have since been heard going off in the Kyiv after Putin launched what he called a 'special military operation', which has seen a large-scale invasion of the country and backlash from across the international community.
However, Russia indicated yesterday that it will significantly cut back its military activity in northern Ukraine after 'meaningful' progress at peace talks in Istanbul. Russia’s deputy defence minister, Alexander Fomin, said Moscow would 'radically reduce military activity in the direction of Kyiv and Chernihiv'.
“Everyone came up and asked how my family was, my friends,” Mykolenko told UA Tribuna. “On the second day the head coach came up and said: ‘if you need a rest…if you need time, take your time.
“I am grateful to the club for its support from all sides. The administrator in charge of the equipment said: 'I know what your situation is. I understand how difficult it is for you. Come to us for dinner, let’s talk.'
“Yesterday a physiotherapist came up and said: 'I have a room, a bed for two people. Those who have nowhere to live, we are ready to shelter them.' I am shocked. Honestly I’m shocked.”
While the Everton full-back also revealed how Donny van de Beek offered to rent a house for those looking to leave Ukraine following the Russian attacks. The move by the Dutch international left the defender 'pleasantly shocked'.
He said: “Donny van de Beek, a world-class player, approaches me and says, 'my father and I want to rent a house for people, whether in the Netherlands or in Poland. We will take them from the border, settle them, pay for it.'
“I’m pleasantly shocked. I don’t know how to thank these people.”
