"Either you get out or you drown": Russian national team goalkeeper describes service in the Russian army

CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov, who sparked a major scandal in world hockey, has admitted that he was literally counting the days until he could be demobilised from the Russian army. The 26-year-old vice-champion of the 2022 Olympics was forcibly conscripted into military service last July.

In an interview with the propaganda TV channel Match TV, Fedotov vividly described his time in the army of the aggressor country. In particular, according to him, service in the Russian Armed Forces can be described by the words "you either get out or you drown", adding that he "paid his debt to his homeland".

"All citizens liable for military service in the country have to pay their debt to their homeland. We can discuss this for a long time, but the law is the law. It must be observed. Everyone pays their debt to their homeland to one degree or another. What can a person who played hockey and is now walking around the parade ground and marching feel? Nothing. You count the days day by day. You mark the days on the calendar. There are no emotions. You wait and hope that sooner or later it will end. You either get out or you drown," Fedotov said.

It is believed that Fedotov was specially sent to the Russian army to prevent him from joining the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The athlete signed a contract with the North Americans, but CSKA entered into a parallel agreement with Ivan.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Canadian striker Brendan Lipsic "wrote a letter to Putin" to obtain Russian citizenship.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!