Man City star Oleksandr Zinchenko vows Ukraine will 'never give up' as Russia tensions mount

Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has said Ukraine will never give up as fears over a war with Russia continue to mount.

The 25-year-old Premier League winner, who has played 48 times for the Ukrainian national team, took to Instagram to have his say on the ongoing situation after Putin decided to move Russian troops into the Donbass.

"The whole civilised world is worried about the situation in my country. I can't stay away and try to convey my opinion," the footballer wrote alongside a photo of a map of Ukraine.

"In the photo – my country. The country where I was born and raised. A country whose colours I defend in the international sports arena.

"A country that we try to glorify and develop. A country whose borders must remain inviolable. My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it. We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian football authorities announced on Monday that the upcoming domestic fixtures will take place as planned, despite the ongoing threats.

Andriy Pavelko, president of the Ukrainian Association of Football released a statement explaining the decision, before adding that the situation will have to be “assessed” if there are any dramatic changes in Ukraine.

"Stability is very important right now and we want to tell the world that life goes on and the way we can help with that is the resumption of our league," Pavelko said.