Real Betis announce TWELVE fans to attend Zenit Saint Petersburg clash amid growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine
REAL BETIS will have just TWELVE away fans as they take on Zenit Saint Petersburg in a Europa League clash on Thursday night.
The dozen Spaniards will brave the trip to Russia amid rising tensions with neighboring Ukraine.
2
2
El Desmarque announced that only a handful of loyal away fans will attend.
Most of the supporters were pushed back from the long journey due to the unstable atmosphere in the host country.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Russian troops remained “locked in and loaded” on the Ukrainian border.
Although Saint Petersburg does not border Ukraine, travel is still not recommended.
A fan told the Spanish outlet: “We will go with a white flag in one hand and the Betis flag in the other.
“I hope nothing happens like this.”
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
On the pitch, Betis fans are hoping for a positive result.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side are having a fantastic season, third behind Real Madrid and local rivals Sevilla.
The greens and whites are also one leg away from the Copa del Rey final.
What’s going on between Russia and Ukraine?
RUSSIA and Ukraine have technically remained at war since 2014.
Ukraine was aligned with Russia as part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, after which it became an independent state.
The two nations remained closely linked – but Ukraine gradually began to distance itself, seeking to deepen its ties with the West.
The open conflict was sparked by the Ukrainian revolution in 2014 – when an uprising toppled the pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych.
Vladimir Putin’s forces responded by annexing the Crimea region to Ukraine – a move widely condemned by the West.
The conflict then escalated when pro-Russian groups in eastern Ukraine then took up arms against the state.
Russia supported separatist forces which formed breakaway republics in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Putin’s forces then launched a military incursion into these regions in support of the rebels.
Russia continues to hold Crimea – and claims the region joined them voluntarily after a referendum.
Seven years have now passed and the war in Donbass remains at an impasse.
It is estimated that around 14,000 people have been killed in the conflict, including more than 3,000 civilians.
Ukraine and the rebels signed a new ceasefire in July 2020 – but clashes have steadily escalated throughout 2021.
🔵 Read our Live Blog Russia Ukraine for the latest updates