Lokomotiv Moscow’s goalkeeper, Ilya Lantratov, spoke about his holiday break in Belgorod, a city that endured bombardments from Ukrainian forces. His reflections were shared with Sports Express, offering a personal glimpse into how he processed the events that shook the region.
“You witnessed the events before and during the New Year,” Lantratov noted. “It was a brutal, difficult time for the city. It is hard to put into words. May the new year bring safety and calm to everyone, and may such days never recur.” His comment underscored a wish for peaceful skies and stability across the year ahead.
Lantratov hails from the village of Prokhorovka in the Belgorod region. He began his football journey at a local school in Belgorod and later joined the Shebekino team, laying the groundwork for a professional career.
His professional path shows a winding route: Lantratov was part of Lokomotiv from 2014 to 2016 but did not appear in a senior match for the main squad. He subsequently wore the colors of Shinnik, Baltik, Fakel, and Khimki before returning to Lokomotiv in 2023.
In the current season, Lantratov has played in all 18 Russian Premier League fixtures, conceding 23 goals as Lokomotiv sits in the fourth position in the league table. This consistency reflects his role as a reliable option between the posts for the team, even amid the broader volatility surrounding football and daily life in the region.
There was a separate report noting that a Brazilian striker avoided attending a match with Zenit due to concerns related to the CBO (context for this reference is cited as reported). This detail stands apart from Lantratov’s recent statements but is included here to reflect ongoing discussions about safety and movement in Russian football circles.