Timur Zhuravel, a commentator and journalist, described on Gleb Cherniavsky’s YouTube channel Lokomotiv the tension between Artem Dziuba and himself. He recalled that Dziuba appeared offended and avoided any direct communication, even when an opening to talk was offered during a studio session linked to a Lokomotiv game this season. Zhuravel said he was barred from Dziuba and that in one match preparation the striker stood to the side, caught sight of him, and flatly refused to approach. He turned away and left the scene. [Citation: Lokomotiv channel interview with Zhuravel]
According to Zhuravel, Dziuba and Leonid Viktorovich were frequently irritable, a pattern he described as common for them in moments of heightened scrutiny. This observation came in the context of public attention surrounding the winger and forward’s interactions with the press and with teammates in recent times. [Citation: Lokomotiv channel interview with Zhuravel]
On August 12, Lokomotiv and Wings of the Soviets ended their Russian Premier League match in a 1-1 draw. Dzyuba did not participate in the game, having appeared in three fixtures earlier in the season. This absence fueled discussion about his current role in the squad and the dynamics behind his limited playing time. [Citation: Lokomotiv channel interview with Zhuravel]
After the game against Krylya Sovetov, Zhuravel attempted to ask Dziuba a question, but the response was sharp and marked by threats. Prior to this confrontation, Dziuba had already expressed a lack of interest in speaking to the media and had asked journalists to prepare inquiries that would merit his attention. The incident led to a formal meeting with the RFU FTC to review the exchange and ensure proper conduct. [Citation: Lokomotiv channel interview with Zhuravel]
In a separate recall, Konstantin Genich later characterized Dzyuba’s misstep as part of the disagreement with the journalist, attributing blame within the broader controversy. The implications of that assessment were discussed in various media analyses, reflecting the ongoing debate about accessibility to players and the standards for media interactions in football. [Citation: Lokomotiv channel interview with Zhuravel]