Andrei Solomatin, once a member of Russia’s national team and a recognizable figure at CSKA Moscow, discusses how people react to those who condemn SVO and decide to leave Russia. The remarks are presented in a way that reflects the sentiment often reported in national media circles.
He argues that fighters against Ukraine garner more respect than those who depart, and that not only were the departed criticized, but the country itself and the people who shared meals with them faced denigration. Solomatin contends that the leave-takers were treated as if they had abandoned their roots, and he implies that some should face consequences without due process, suggesting a punitive stance toward those who made the decision to leave.
In addition to his comments, Solomatin has repeatedly traveled to conflict zones with humanitarian aid. He has delivered essentials such as food, clothing, and basic supplies to members of volunteer groups associated with supporters of Russian football. Reports from 2023 note a notable incident when he joined a football battalion and headed to defend a contested area, marking his continued involvement in the conflict beyond the playing field.
Notably, Solomatin’s football career included spells with several prominent Moscow clubs, including Moscow Torpedo, Lokomotiv, and CSKA. His national team involvement spanned five years, from the late 1990s into the early 2000s, reflecting a period of substantial participation at the highest level of the sport in the country.
In the past, Solomatin also made headlines for provocative statements, including a remark about the Verkhovna Rada, suggesting a dramatic change in the location of the government’s seat would be preferable to him, effectively expressing a desire for a drastic relocation. This remark, like many others, is part of a broader pattern of outspoken commentary attributed to him over the years.