World champion, who fled Ukraine to escape mobilization, responded to accusations of betrayal by giving an interview to the Russian media

Artur Bilan, the world champion in spinning fishing and vice-champion in urban fishing, has become a real hero in the Russian media. The 34-year-old athlete left the Ukrainian national team after the World Cup in Italy and refused to return to his home country.

In an interview with Russian propagandists, the Ukrainian said that almost everyone supported him in this decision.

"Of course, it's a shame (that many people immediately labeled me a traitor). But I saw many smart and thinking people too. The support was very high: 90%," RIA Novosti quoted Bilan as saying.

As OBOZ.UA reported, in a letter to his now former teammate Danylo Liasov, Artur explained his action by saying that he had already received two draft notices and did not want to "end up in war or elimination."

It is worth noting that the Ukrainian fisherman's action was welcomed by the Russian State Duma.

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