--- title: "From the Ball to the Gun: Vladimir Ezersky on the Choice That Changed His Life and the New Mission of Ukrainian Sports" description: "🇺🇦 Legendary footballer Vladimir Ezersky spoke about his choice in 2022 when he swapped the ball for a weapon. In the interview, he shared his impressions of serving in the \"Chaika\" battalion, described the evolution of recruitment in the AFU, and highlighted the role of athletes in defending Ukraine. 🏆⚽️ #Ukraine #Football #AFU #Ezersky" date: 2026-08-17T04:02:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/vladimir-ezersky-from-the-ball-to-the-gun-en tags: [ukraine, football, military, ezerskiy, war, sportsmen] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # From the Ball to the Gun: Vladimir Ezersky on the Choice That Changed His Life and the New Mission of Ukrainian Sports ![Vladimir Yezerksy with a football and two colleagues in an office with Ukrainian flags](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/17/vladimir-ezerskiy-ot-myacha-do-avtomata/vladimir-ezerskiy-ot-myacha-do-avtomata-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - In February 2022, Vladimir Ezersky stood up to defend Ukraine without hesitation, evacuating his family to the west and returning to the combat zone himself. - In the "Chaika" battalion, Ezersky witnessed the unity of people from different professions who quickly became one team. - Modern recruitment in the AFU allows volunteers to consciously choose their unit and specialization, making the army stronger. - Many Ukrainian athletes, including footballers, stood up to defend the country or became volunteers, demonstrating an example of patriotism. In August 2026, Ukrainian football is at a unique point in history where sporting glory and military valor have become intertwined in the destinies of many players. Former captain of the national team and now assistant head coach, Vladimir Ezersky, became one of those who, in February 2022, without hesitation swapped his football kit for a military uniform. In his latest interview, he openly spoke about the first days of the full-scale invasion, how the recruitment system in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) evolved, and the role of athletes in defending the state. ### A Choice That Required No Hesitation Vladimir Ezersky lived in the Bucha district, so the war came literally to his doorstep. His decision was instant: first, he evacuated his family—wife and children—to western Ukraine, and then returned himself to the combat zone. "To be honest, I didn't even think of another option. How else? If you are Ukrainian and love your country, at such a moment you simply do what you must," admits Ezersky. For him, Ukraine is the home where his children were born and the country that gave him everything. In such moments, there is no time to think about career or football. ### Unity in the "Chaika" Battalion In the first months of the defense of Kyiv, Ezersky served in the volunteer "Chaika" battalion. Its ranks included people of various professions: businessmen, teachers, drivers, builders, and IT specialists. Many of them had never served in the army before. "I was struck by how quickly everyone became one team. People stood guard, built fortifications, and helped evacuate civilians. I saw no panic. There was only one desire – not to let the enemy advance further," recalls the footballer. He emphasizes that in football, a lost match can be corrected, but in war, the price of a mistake can be fatal. ### Evolution of Recruitment: From Queues to Conscious Choice In August 2026, Ezersky visited the 3rd Recruitment Center of the Ukrainian Naval Forces. He noted that the approach to recruiting volunteers had changed radically compared to 2022. Back then, people went where they could be useful immediately, without thinking about specialization. Now, the system allows a person to consciously choose a unit, position, and direction. "This would have made life much easier and made the defense even stronger," believes Ezersky. He draws a parallel with coaching: the main rule is to match the person to a specific position so that their best qualities are revealed as effectively as possible. ### The Mission of Athletes in Wartime Today, many people from the world of sports have swapped their kits for military uniforms or become effective volunteers. Ezersky notes that Ukrainian sports have performed with dignity. From the very first days, many footballers went to defend the country or joined the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF). Among them are Yuri Vernidub and other well-known players. Ezersky emphasizes that the mission of athletes during war is not only defense but also supporting the spirit of the nation. Their example inspires others and shows that even in the most difficult conditions, one can remain true to their principles. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Vladimir Ezersky: 'Some national team players were given a little rest'](https://www.sports.ru/football/25253975.html) - Источник подтверждает информацию о роли Езерского в сборной и его взглядах на футбол. - [Vladimir Ezersky: 'Moscow and German clubs called me'](https://www.ua-football.com/ukrainian/high/1322655158--vladimir-ezerskiy-menya-zvali-moskovskie-i-nemeckie-kluby.html) - Источник подтверждает карьеру Езерского и его статус в украинском футболе. - [Ezersky: Dynamo players have every chance to make a loud statement in the Europa League](https://www.ua-football.com/foreign/champions_league/1724846828-ezerskiy-dinamovcy-imeyut-vse-shansy-gromko-zayavit-o-sebe-v-lige-evropy.html) - Источник подтверждает карьеру Езерского и его статус в украинском футболе. - [Ezersky: 'I thank fate for my career'](https://football.ua/ukraine/148745-ezerskyjj-blagodarju-sudbu-za-svoju-kareru.html) - Подтверждено по источнику football.ua ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Why did Vladimir Ezersky decide to join the army in 2022? **A:** Ezersky lived in the Bucha district and immediately after the start of the invasion evacuated his family to the west, while he returned to the combat zone to defend his country. ### Q: How has recruitment in the AFU changed since 2022? **A:** Now the system allows volunteers to consciously choose their unit, position, and specialization, which makes the army more effective. ### Q: Which athletes stood up to defend Ukraine? **A:** Many footballers, including Yuri Vernidub and Vladimir Ezersky, stood up to defend the country or became volunteers.