Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ukraine and Manchester City defender, has lashed out at Russian players for refusing to speak against Russia’s bloody invasion of Ukraine.

During an interview with the BBC, the 25-year-old versatile player who can also play as an attacking midfielder, expressed his disappointment over the decision by Russian players to criticise their government for invading his home country without being provoked.

“I am surprised that none of them has said anything,” Zinchenko said.

“Most of them play in the national team and they have a lot of followers on Instagram, Facebook, wherever. They can at least do something to stop this war. Because the people can hear them.

“Instead of speaking their positions, they ignored it. I don’t know why.”

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This comes as Artem Dzyuba, captain of the Russian national team, spoke out against his country’s suspension from international tournaments by FIFA and UEFA on Friday.

“I am against discrimination based on your nationality. I am not ashamed to be Russian,” Dzyuba had said on his official Instagram page.

“I am proud to be Russian. I don’t understand why athletes have to suffer now. I am against double standards. Why are some allowed everything, but we are blamed for everything?

“Why does everyone always say that sport is apolitical, but with the first opportunity, when it concerns Russia, this principle is absolutely forgotten?”

Zinchenko, would, in his own Instagram post, respond to the Russian captain, saying sport could not be separated from matters of war.

“Indeed, sport should not be part of election campaigning, party races, slogans or PR platforms. But sport, like any sphere of life, cannot stand aside from the issues of war, aggression and death,” he said.

“Everyone must fight evil, regardless of profession. Why do Ukrainian footballers call for football sanctions against the aggressor’s country?

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“Do we really want to deprive you of the opportunity to do your favourite thing? No.

“We use all methods to stop the aggressor country from its occupying ambitions. Evil must be punished in all areas that are accessible to society.”

Zinchenko, a two-time English Premier League winner, also said the only people keeping him from taking up arms and fighting against Russia was his infant daughter and wife.