The occupiers created a fake Shakhtar in Donetsk: the club plans to play in Russia.

According to inkorr.com: In Donetsk, the occupiers have established a fake football club 'Shakhtar', which plans to participate in the Second League of Russia. This information was reported by the publication 'Glavkom'.

The original Ukrainian 'Shakhtar' will not be able to compete in the Russian Cup due to potential sanctions from FIFA and UEFA against the Russian Football Union. The budget of this fake club will be about 60 million rubles (approximately $750 thousand).

The team will consist mainly of local low-level players, as well as footballers from the annexed Crimea.

In addition to 'Shakhtar', the occupiers plan to create other fake clubs to participate in the Second League of Russia, including 'Fregat' from the Kherson region and 'Zorya' from Luhansk.

Statement from the Russian freestyler

Russian freestyler Anastasia Tatalina has addressed the International Ski Federation and Snowboarding (FIS) requesting to allow her to participate in the 2026 Olympic Games. She is a member of the military club CSKA, which has a close connection with Russian aggression against Ukraine.

I represent Russia, and I was proud when the President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) sent me a telegram after winning the world championship.

Tatalina also actively supports the Russian military slogan 'we do not abandon our own' on her social networks.

Thus, a fake football club 'Shakhtar' has been created in Donetsk, which is trying to make a name for itself in the Second League of Russia. At the same time, the Russian freestyler is addressing the International Ski Federation regarding her possibility to participate in the 2026 Olympic Games. These events indicate the occupiers' attempts to legitimize their presence in sports despite international sanctions and isolation. Ultimately, such ignorance of realities leads to increased tension in the sports influence on the international stage.