KYIV, Ukraine — Greater than 100 individuals have been rooting for Ukraine’s nationwide soccer workforce within the entrance of the Nook Pub, however a have a look at the again rooms of the bar made it clear that its clients have been extra than simply sports activities followers.
There have been helmets, bandages, hand heaters and intravenous luggage in one of many bar’s retailer rooms on Monday night time, all destined for the entrance traces. “It’s a logistics hub,” the pub’s proprietor, Oleksii Marchuk, stated.
Named for its perch outdoors the capital’s now-closed Olympic Stadium, the Nook Pub has lengthy been a gathering level for die-hard supporters of Dynamo Kyiv, one in every of Ukraine’s most well-known skilled groups. However since Russia’s full-scale invasion, it has additionally turn out to be an alternative choice to their shuttered stadium and a hub to assist the warfare effort.
Past simply cheering on their workforce, the followers have turn out to be fund-raisers, army boosters and logistics consultants — and in some circumstances troopers themselves.
“There isn’t any group that has no individuals within the warfare,” Mr. Marchuk stated Monday night time. That features the close-knit Dynamo Kyiv group.
The workforce’s distinctive patches, that are allowed to be worn on army uniforms, are on show within the pub’s three sprawling rooms underground. So, too, are reminders of the warfare, from an indication outdoors celebrating “each” useless Russian to munitions leaning in an alcove.
A few of Ukraine’s most hard-core soccer supporters, or “ultras,” have a historical past of violent hooliganism or have been linked to the intense proper and white supremacy, however they’re a minority of followers. The ultras have additionally defended pro-democracy protesters and turn out to be a robust organizing power throughout the political spectrum.
Within the early days of the warfare, with Kyiv underneath assault, the pub’s workers moved in beds and cooked for the army from morning till night time. Now, they distribute gear to Dynamo Kyiv supporters on the entrance traces and host desk tennis tournaments to boost funds for the combat.
The army provides change from each day, Mr. Marchuk stated. On Monday, there have been intravenous luggage, whereas on different days there is likely to be bulletproof vests, tourniquets or energy banks. Some objects are donated, and others are sourced primarily based on requests from fellow followers on the battlefield.
“I need my mates to be alive. I need my mates to be wholesome. I need them to be ingesting a beer within the pub after the warfare,” Mr. Marchuk stated. “That’s why I’m doing my greatest.”
He stated it had been laborious to maintain the pub afloat: Enterprise suffered throughout the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. After which Ukraine’s skilled soccer season was suspended when Russia invaded and the stadium was pressured to shut. Groups went into exile, enjoying overseas and in exhibition matches. Membership groups are actually enjoying once more in Ukraine, however in empty stadiums with out followers.
On Monday, patrons on the bar have been cheering on Ukraine’s nationwide workforce because it performed Malta in a 2024 European Championship qualifier match.
“Persons are not coming usually for beers” because the invasion, he stated. “In the present day is a special occasion.”
These on the bar sat quietly as gamers took the sphere. Unmoved as Malta’s nationwide anthem sounded, they rose in unison for Ukraine’s, singing alongside. After the ultimate notes a chant broke out: “Glory to Ukraine. Glory to Heroes.”
Illia Kushnarov settled right into a wood seat to look at the sport with a good friend. He stated that he had attended his first match at 3 years outdated and that his household at all times rooted for Dynamo Kyiv.
“It’s actually in our blood,” he stated, sipping his drink. Now 25, he estimated he had attended greater than 200 matches.
In the present day, “after all we’re lacking the soccer, the stadium and this sense,” Mr. Kushnarov stated, trailing off as a penalty kick ripped into the online.
He stated the ambiance within the stadium of 60,000 followers was so totally different — but it surely was extra essential to “assist our guys proper now on the entrance.”
That’s the reason he and his good friend arrange their very own charity, first for “small stuff” like meals and now offering provides and even autos.
“The whole lot now we have, we are attempting to present,” he stated. “All people has a good friend within the warfare.”
The Nook Pub, he stated, has given him group and goal — but in addition a refuge.
“All people wants a relaxation,” he added. “Only for somewhat bit — to have a drink, loosen up, as a result of we can not dwell day by day, each minute, each second in warfare.”
Stanislav Kozliuk contributed reporting.