The Port of London is 1774 nautical miles away from the Port of St. Petersburgh. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, that distance has only felt greater.
Putin’s brutal invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine has prompted the UK government to impose economic sanctions, send military aid and ban thousands of Russians from visiting our shores.
Meanwhile, Russia’s isolation from the wider European community is palpable in the banning of Russian sports clubs from international competitions, and their exclusion from the UN Human Rights Council.
This paper is staunch in its condemnation of the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine and our empathy with those suffering right now is shared across Southwark.
This week’s story about Russian Millwall fans should act as a reminder that many of the citizens of our respective countries simply long for peace.
We spoke to Maxim Prokhorenko, a Muscovite who fell in love with Millwall and its fans when he sparked up a friendship with Bermondsey boys who’d come to work in Russia in the ‘90s.
He told the News that he and the rest of the Russian Lions are opposed to the war in Ukraine, describing it as a bad dream that will not end.
It’s a tender reminder that, as citizens of larger nations, we are sometimes powerless in the face of large geo-political events.
Max did not want the war in Ukraine. Neither did the Ukranians. They are all, tragically, normal people who have been caught under the wheels of history.
So let his love of Millwall, and the UK, remind us that the bonds of friendship uniting the people of Europe are stronger than war.
When the travel bans are lifted, and there is finally peace, Max dreams of coming to the Den, with his daughter.
He dreams of standing in the gantries, surrounded by his fellow fans, belting out Millwall songs, before retiring to Whelan’s for a pint and a chat.
In this time of pain and suffering, it is a dream we can all share.