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KYIV, Ukraine — Greater than 100 folks had been rooting for Ukraine’s nationwide soccer workforce within the entrance of the Nook Pub, however a have a look at the again rooms of the bar made it clear that its clients had been extra than simply sports activities followers.
There have been helmets, bandages, hand heaters and intravenous luggage in one of many bar’s retailer rooms on Monday night time, all destined for the entrance traces. “It’s a logistics hub,” the pub’s proprietor, Oleksii Marchuk, stated.
Named for its perch exterior the capital’s now-closed Olympic Stadium, the Nook Pub has lengthy been a gathering level for die-hard supporters of Dynamo Kyiv, one in every of Ukraine’s most well-known skilled groups. However since Russia’s full-scale invasion, it has additionally turn into an alternative to their shuttered stadium and a hub to assist the warfare effort.
Past simply cheering on their workforce, the followers have turn into fund-raisers, navy boosters and logistics consultants — and in some circumstances troopers themselves.
“There isn’t any group that has no folks within the warfare,” Mr. Marchuk stated Monday night time. That features the close-knit Dynamo Kyiv group.
The workforce’s distinctive patches, that are allowed to be worn on navy uniforms, are on show within the pub’s three sprawling rooms underground. So, too, are reminders of the warfare, from an indication exterior celebrating “each” useless Russian to munitions leaning in an alcove.
A few of Ukraine’s most hard-core soccer supporters, or “ultras,” have a historical past of violent hooliganism or have been linked to the acute proper and white supremacy, however they’re a minority of followers. The ultras have additionally defended pro-democracy protesters and turn into a robust organizing drive throughout the political spectrum.
Within the early days of the warfare, with Kyiv beneath assault, the pub’s workers moved in beds and cooked for the navy from morning till night time. Now, they distribute gear to Dynamo Kyiv supporters on the entrance traces and host desk tennis tournaments to boost funds for the combat.
The navy provides change from each day, Mr. Marchuk stated. On Monday, there have been intravenous luggage, whereas on different days there is perhaps bulletproof vests, tourniquets or energy banks. Some gadgets are donated, and others are sourced based mostly on requests from fellow followers on the battlefield.
“I would like my pals to be alive. I would like my pals to be wholesome. I would like them to be consuming a beer within the pub after the warfare,” Mr. Marchuk stated. “That’s why I’m doing my greatest.”
He stated it had been laborious to maintain the pub afloat: Enterprise suffered in the course of the top of the coronavirus pandemic. After which Ukraine’s skilled soccer season was suspended when Russia invaded and the stadium was pressured to shut. Groups went into exile, enjoying overseas and in exhibition matches. Membership groups at the moment are enjoying once more in Ukraine, however in empty stadiums with out followers.
On Monday, patrons on the bar had been cheering on Ukraine’s nationwide workforce because it performed Malta in a 2024 European Championship qualifier match.
“Individuals are not coming typically for beers” because the invasion, he stated. “Immediately is a special occasion.”
These on the bar sat quietly as gamers took the sphere. Unmoved as Malta’s nationwide anthem sounded, they rose in unison for Ukraine’s, singing alongside. After the ultimate notes a chant broke out: “Glory to Ukraine. Glory to Heroes.”
Illia Kushnarov settled right into a picket seat to look at the sport with a pal. He stated that he had attended his first match at 3 years previous and that his household all the time rooted for Dynamo Kyiv.
“It’s actually in our blood,” he stated, sipping his drink. Now 25, he estimated he had attended greater than 200 matches.
Immediately, “in fact we’re lacking the soccer, the stadium and this sense,” Mr. Kushnarov stated, trailing off as a penalty kick ripped into the web.
He stated the ambiance within the stadium of 60,000 followers was so completely different — however it was extra essential to “assist our guys proper now on the entrance.”
That’s the reason he and his pal arrange their very own charity, first for “small stuff” like meals and now offering provides and even autos.
“Every little thing now we have, we try to present,” he stated. “All people has a pal within the warfare.”
The Nook Pub, he stated, has given him group and function — but additionally a refuge.
“All people wants a relaxation,” he added. “Only for a little bit bit — to have a drink, chill out, as a result of we can not reside day by day, each minute, each second in warfare.”
Stanislav Kozliuk contributed reporting.
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