Russians threaten Ukrainian checks grandmaster because of his criticizing Putin for Crimean annexation

Russians threaten the Ukrainian checks grandmaster Yuriy Anikeyev who was suspended playing checks game for three years because of wearing his embroidery shirt and his criticism of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was announced by the President of the Ukrainian checks federation and a personal trainer sportsman, Anatoliy Yatsenko.

«Russians told him unofficially: «If you do not give an interview about the Russian aggression in Crimea and Donbas, do not talk about the foundations at the world championships, you will continue playing, and no one will disqualify you». But he refused such an offer. He is an honest man, and I do not work with others. How can he keep silent when there are applied 20 Russian players at the World Cup, and they share their scores (lose out for special purpose − Ed.) to the selected one, and thus artificially make him the world champion», the coach said, as plussport.com.ua informs.

He also said that Anikeyev had been recently threatened on Skype from Russia.

«It was written «you may speak till you die. He is suppressed and intimidated and we must help him to survive in this strange hybrid war», Yatsenko said.

To remind some facts, Yuriy Anikeyev won the bronze medal of the European checks championship in October in Estonia. Also in 2016 Anikeyev being a member of the Ukrainian national team won the World checks championship.

Anikeyev received three years of disqualification from the International Draughts Federation for violating the Code of Ethics. Anikeyev was disqualified for criticizing the Russian President Vladimir Putin and wearing to the award ceremony the embroidery shirt.