Photos obtained by Daily Mail Sport have revealed the stark, deteriorating condition of Shakhtar Donetsk’s home stadium in Ukraine.
Shakhtar moved into the Donbass Arena in 2009, and the stadium later served as one of the main venues for Euro 2012. However, it has not hosted a football match since 2014.
The club initially left the stadium after Russian aggression erupted in the Donbas region in 2014, forcing Shakhtar to stage matches in several cities across Ukraine.
Following the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Shakhtar have also played their European fixtures overseas, with Poland, Germany and Slovenia among the countries to host them.
The club will now use Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge for their Champions League campaign. Ahead of Wednesday’s first ‘home game’ against AEK Athens, new images have provided a grim reminder of the challenges Shakhtar continue to face.
The photographs, taken by Yuriy Butusov and shared on his Telegram channel, show the extent of the Donbass Arena’s decline.
New photographs have exposed the condition of Shakhtar Donetsk’s home stadium in Donetsk
Major damage to the Donbass Arena’s exterior structure is clearly visible
Grass has overgrown across the surrounding area, where a Ukrainian sign warns: ‘DO NOT WALK ON THE LAWN! CAUTION! EXPLOSIVE OBJECTS MAY BE PRESENT.’
The stadium has suffered severe damage, with numerous panels missing from its outer structure.
The destruction has left parts of the interior exposed, while rust and discolouration have spread across the remaining surfaces.
The ground surrounding the arena has also been reclaimed by nature, with long grass and weeds visible in several areas.
Another section has been sealed off with warning tape beside a sign reading: ‘DO NOT WALK ON THE LAWN! CAUTION! EXPLOSIVE OBJECTS MAY BE PRESENT.’
KEEP READING: Pope Leo Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After Surgery to Remove Part of Right Lung, Vatican Says
The images show no people, reflecting how deserted the area has become amid the continuing war.
Yet despite the immense difficulties facing the club, Shakhtar continue to show remarkable resilience. Managed by former Barcelona star Arda Turan, they won the Ukrainian Premier League last season.
They also advanced to the semi-finals of the Conference League, where they were defeated by Crystal Palace.
Ahead of their Champions League campaign, CEO Sergei Palkin discussed the decision to relocate to England, approximately 2,000km (1,243 miles) from Shakhtar’s current base in Kyiv, which lies 370 miles from Donetsk.
‘We decided: let’s move to England,’ said Palkin, whose team will host AEK Athens, Sporting Lisbon, Fenerbahce and Real Madrid during the competition’s League Phase. ‘There are a lot of Ukrainian refugees and a lot of Ukrainians living here.
‘London is the football capital of the world. It’s the biggest marketplace for players. For our young players to compete at this level in a legendary stadium like Stamford Bridge provides extra motivation and can bring positive results.
‘I first contacted [Chelsea co-owner] Behdad Eghbali and said: “What do you think about this idea – playing Champions League matches in your stadium?”’
‘The reaction was positive. Step by step, it became a reality. Chelsea were very professional.’
The Donbass Arena pictured in 2013 after the state-of-the-art stadium was opened in 2009
Man United were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the ground during a Champions League group stage clash back in October 2013
Shakhtar will also wear an ‘Invest in Ukraine’ slogan on their shirts during their Champions League campaign.
Explaining that decision, Palkin added: ‘We are representing our country and want to be visible for Ukraine. We need support from the democratic world.
‘We cannot fight alone. Part of our role when we play in London and other cities in Europe is to send these messages and remind people what’s going on.’