Former Shakhtar Player Oleksandr Rospuytko Gains Russian Citizenship and Resumes Career in Russia
Oleksandr Rospuytko, a former player of Shakhtar Donetsk, who left the Ukrainian club nearly two years ago and relocated to Russia, has unexpectedly resumed his football career within Russian borders.
At only 21 years old, he is now officially documented and registered as a Russian citizen and is currently performing for the local team Chayka, based in Pishankopskoye village, which competes in Russia’s second division.
According to Transfermarkt, Rospuytko joined the club on August 15th last year, signing a one-year contract, after spending almost two years without a team or official engagement.
Notably, in October 2023, he did not return with Shakhtar’s youth team from an UEFA Youth League match against Antwerp, after which reports indicated he had crossed into Russia.
Subsequently, Shakhtar terminated his contract.
Born in Horlivka, a city under Russian occupation since 2014, Rospuytko’s return to professional football in a new country highlights the ongoing movement of Ukrainian players seeking opportunities in Russia amid geopolitical tensions.
His case exemplifies the complex interplay between sports, geopolitics, and personal choices in a turbulent context.
The coming months will reveal how much his career will develop within the Russian football system and whether he will gain further recognition and opportunities for growth in his new environment.