The Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on Coach Yuriy Vernydub's Family

Yuriy Vernydub, who currently manages the Azerbaijani football club Neftchi, has shared insights into how the war between Russia and Ukraine has affected his personal life and that of his family. According to the coach, several of his closest relatives are serving in the Ukrainian army and are actively involved in combat, which causes him immense stress and anxiety.

“One hundred percent [the war] affects me. I have children, grandchildren, daughters-in-law, a brother, a sister, and many other relatives in Ukraine. One of my daughters-in-law is directly on the front lines. Despite having three children, she has been fighting in the Donetsk direction for the second year now. There is also a nephew who will soon be at the front as part of the airborne troops in a challenging area. Another nephew is also involved. It’s hard for me to keep track of everything; I worry about Ukraine and my relatives,” Vernydub stated, as reported by azerisport.com.

The coach also expressed his thoughts on the shelling of peaceful Ukrainian cities carried out by the Russian army. He noted that in times of war, it is difficult to predict where enemy drones might strike. “You never know where one of the drones will land. There are nights when I can’t sleep until morning because of the shelling. I drink coffee and go to work. It doesn’t directly affect my work because I am engaged in what I love,” Vernydub explained.

At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Yuriy Vernydub returned to Ukraine from Moldova and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, he later resumed his coaching career by taking over the football club Kryvbas. As the coach of Neftchi, Vernydub has been active since December 2025, continuing his involvement in professional football.

Recently, Vernydub found himself at the center of a scandal due to a handshake with Russian coach Kurban Berdyev, who visited the occupied city of Mariupol in 2023. The Ukrainian coach commented on this incident, emphasizing that his actions should not be interpreted as support for the aggressor.

Thus, Yuriy Vernydub remains in the spotlight not only for his coaching activities but also due to his personal experiences related to the ongoing war in Ukraine. His words and actions reflect the complex reality faced by many Ukrainians during this difficult time.