Dynamo Kyiv is facing intense fan backlash after signing Vladislav Blanuta, due to his past sharing of pro-Russian propaganda. Despite Blanuta’s apologies and claims of being pro-Ukraine, fans remain unconvinced and are demanding the termination of his contract, creating a significant crisis for the club.
Dynamo Kyiv's recent signing of Moldovan-Romanian striker Vladislav Blanuta has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with fans demanding the termination of his contract. The uproar stems from Blanuta's past sharing of content by a Russian propagandist on TikTok, an action that has deeply offended the club's supporters, who view it as a betrayal of their pro-Ukraine stance.
The 23-year-old striker's arrival at Dynamo Kyiv from FC U Craiova for a reported €2.6 million (£2.3 million) was initially met with anticipation. However, the revelation of his social media activity quickly turned excitement into outrage. Fans were quick to unearth a TikTok post from 2023 where Blanuta shared a rant by Vladimir Solovyov, a notorious Russian broadcaster known for his staunch support of the Putin regime and the war in Ukraine. In the reposted video, Solovyov had labelled Moldovan authorities as "enemies of the people" and "satanist scum," a sentiment that resonated poorly with Dynamo Kyiv's fiercely patriotic fan base.
Further fueling the fans' anger was the discovery that Blanuta had also shared music from a Russian TV series called Brigada, which has been banned in Ukraine since 2015 due to its association with Russian propaganda. These revelations prompted immediate calls for the club to sever ties with the player, with one leader of the WBC ultras group stating, "We really hope that the club ends the contract with this bastard and that he doesn’t get to wear our shirt on the pitch."
Dynamo Kyiv's management has attempted to mitigate the damage, explaining that the urgent need to find a replacement for Vladyslav Vanat, who was sold to Girona on September 1, limited their ability to thoroughly vet Blanuta's background. Club press officer Andriy Shakhov stated, "It must be understood that it’s not easy to persuade foreign players to come to Ukraine during the war. A lot of footballers refuse to continue negotiations after seeing that our cities are bombed by the Russians."
Shakhov also relayed Blanuta's assurances that he had never held pro-Russian views and that the repost of Solovyov's video was a mistake, stemming from a lack of awareness about the broadcaster's identity and his role in Russian propaganda. According to Shakhov, Blanuta claimed that his dream has always been to play for Dynamo Kyiv, denying reports of a desire to move to a Russian club.
The club has released an interview with Blanuta, in which he says: “I want to show Dynamo fans that I share their views on the war. Russia is the aggressor and I want to state clearly that I don’t support them. I have never said anything against Ukraine. It was my mistake to repost certain things. I didn’t know who those people were or their role in Russian propaganda. I am completely pro-European and pro-Ukrainian.” He also offered to meet every Dynamo fan in person to explain himself.
Despite these efforts, Dynamo Kyiv's supporters remain largely unconvinced. Oleksandr Popov, the editor of a popular Dynamo Kyiv fan website, stated that "Words are not enough" and called for concrete actions to demonstrate Blanuta's sincerity, suggesting a donation of his first monthly salary to the Ukrainian army.
Adding to the sense of crisis, Tribuna journalist Kostia Varvaryk highlighted Dynamo president Ihor Surkis's past disregard for fan opinion, raising concerns that the club might prioritize on-field performance over the deeply held principles of its supporters. “Dynamo president Ihor Surkis has a history for not minding the opinion of supporters. For him, a short explanation is enough for Blanuta to play for Dynamo. Supporters have limited influence on the club, especially now that many of the ultras members are fighting on the frontlines.”
The controversy surrounding Vladislav Blanuta's signing underscores the complex and sensitive environment in which Dynamo Kyiv operates, where the values and beliefs of its supporters carry significant weight. As the club navigates this crisis, the question remains whether Blanuta can bridge the divide with the fans and prove his commitment to Ukraine, or whether the pressure will ultimately force Dynamo Kyiv to reconsider its decision.