London has welcomed many of the roughly 265,000 Ukrainians who took refuge in the UK, and Shakhtar hope to keep raising awareness of issues faced back home.
“For Ukraine, it’s very important to be visible at this moment of our history. And for us it’s very important because we are playing for our nation,” says Palkin.
“At this moment 99% of news coming from Ukraine is all negative. To see Ukraine represented in a tournament like the Champions League is very important. It means one message: that we are alive, Ukraine continues to fight, continues to work, continues to live and continues to compete on this stage.”
Amir, another Shakhtar fan in the UK, left Donetsk at 15 and now lives in London.
Seeing the club competing in the Champions League remains important to such supporters.
Amir says: “I think it is a beacon of hope. Seeing Ukrainian sportsmen succeeding internationally gives a lot of reassurance and a sense of power to the Ukrainian people.
“There is a sense of reconnection to their roots and the national achievements for Ukrainians living abroad.
“In a way it is quite important the club that is from Eastern Ukraine which is currently occupied by Russia is the club representing Ukraine internationally.
“It is important internationally as a reminder of the regional roots of Shakhtar and of Donetsk overall.”
Wednesday’s game against AEK Athens will mark an emotional moment for many Shakhtar and Ukraine fans, before Real Madrid, Sporting and Fenerbahce also visit.
Genne says: “Any sort of positive news, any positive results, are bringing people joy and making us a little bit happier.
“It doesn’t make us forget about all the rest of the things that are happening, but it makes us a bit more joyful.
“Like remembering what joy of life is, in supporting your club, having fun, coming together, having the sense of community.
“It’s way more than just football and analysing a player’s performance and goals. It’s way, way more than that.”
