Ukrainian former Town defender Sergei Baltacha says it’s been emotional and unbelievable watching the shocking scenes from his homeland since the start of the Russian invasion at the end of last week.

Baltacha, 64, became the first Soviet Union international to play in England when he joined the Blues from Dynamo Kyiv for £200,000 in 1988.

He left Portman Road to join St Johnstone in Scotland two years later and remained in the UK after hanging up his boots and since 2012 has coached in Charlton’s academy.

Mariupol-born Baltacha, the father of late tennis star Elena, says he’s proud of the way his countrymen and women are seeking to repel the invasion.

“It's awful, sorry if I get emotional, but sitting and watching this every day is unbelievable," he told BBC Sport.

“Watching these pictures [on TV] is unbelievable. You can't believe it’s happening now. Firstly I want to say thank you for all your support guys. It's a [war crime], Putin is a criminal.

“I'm really proud of all Ukraine people back there and with your help we will be achieving something as quick as possible.”

Baltacha, who played for the Soviet Union at the 1982 World Cup and at the 1988 European Championships where his side were beaten finalists, says he speaks to friends and family back home and they’re grateful for the support from western governments.

"Yes, they know definitely because I’m calling every day, a hundred people calling. They know that you are supporting and they very much appreciate [it],” he added. “They know they are fighting for somebody else as well. And they think it is vital, vital.

“They say they will be fight, fight and fight. Woman, man who has never had experience of military taking gun, outside of house waiting for this. It's unbelievable spirit in Ukraine and I'm very much proud of this.”

Baltacha says Russian president Vladimir Putin underestimated the spirit of the Ukrainian people.

“He thought it would be like six hours, seven hours journey for them. Now it's been one week already and I'm sure we will fight and fight again,” he continued.

Regarding the sanctions imposed upon Russia, including international and domestic teams being banned from FIFA and UEFA competitions, he added: “It's the right thing. Like most sanctions will be a big help, but you know this war is not against Russian people, what we are doing.

"It is against Kremlin and Putin. I have a lot of Russian friends who is here, who is in Ukraine, they call us and say listen, we are really ashamed, we are embarrassed what is happening. But this war is Putin war and Kremlin war.”

Photo: Action Images

fistpumpfury added 17:54 - Mar 1 We're all behind you at Town Sergei. We know it's not the Russian people either. It's a madman called Putin assisted by his cronies.
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therein61 added 18:04 - Mar 1 An impossible situation for the Ukraine people, but my god what fighters they are he correctly states that Putin thought they were going to fold(big mistake) once they crossed into the Ukraine now the gnome(all that's missing is a paint brush tache under his nose) has a big problem resorting to the issue of nuclear threats as he has a bloodied nose. COY Blue and Yellows.

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Tufty added 18:39 - Mar 1 God bless all Ukrainian people. So brave So spirited So United We should all learn from this nation Putin is a germ
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bobble added 19:57 - Mar 1 the last war criminals who illegally invaded a country got away with it, so i imagine putin wouldnt be sweating much as he sees george bush and tony blair free from war crime charges.
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conhill added 22:24 - Mar 1 We can show our support at the next home match (v Lincoln), a minutes's applause before and a make PR blue and yellow.
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d77sgw added 22:28 - Mar 1 I'll agree with you that Bush and Blair acted illegally, and that the invasion of Iraq was wrong, but you can't really equate invading Iraq to overthrow Hussein' brutal dictatorship (or for that matter invading Afghanistan to remove the Taliban), with invading a modern liberal democracy, purely for the purposes of subjugation.
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itfchorry added 22:44 - Mar 1 Down with the Red Army Up the Blue Army 💙
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KiwiBlue2 added 02:03 - Mar 2 Putin has long been on record stating that he wants to put the USSR back together again. This is another repulsive step in that plan. If he continues with the invasion and a lot of women and children are killed I hope that he is charged with war crimes and able to be arrested if he leaves Russia and put on trial. Sadly I do not see at this stage any of his sycophants challenging him over this. Like most dictators he lives in an echo chamber only being told what his henchmen think that he wants to hear. Very sad days for the people of Ukraine.

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Marcus added 07:32 - Mar 2 The USSR was formed by an idea, an idealism empowered by the people leading a revolution. Putin is doing the opposite, trying to force an empire acting like a dictatorial tsar. This is exactly the type of attitude, combined with oligarchy dominance over the proletariat that fueled the Communist revolution. Now we are in an information age the proletariat is more educated and can see beyond controlled media, there's no real desire for Communism now, more aspiration towards a more western life, but without some of the social class differences. Putin is working on his own agenda, not representing Russians. Even much of the military doesn't understand what is happening. This will end badly for him, but a lot of innocent blood is being spilled.

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warfarinman69 added 09:15 - Mar 2 We're 100% with you Sergei. Agree we should make Portman Rd Blue and Yellow. Anyone got any flags? Perhaps ITFC should invite the Red Cross to do a collection for aid to refugees
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fifeblue added 09:41 - Mar 2 How about Town play in Blue Shirts and Yellow shorts?
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shaunmahony added 10:02 - Mar 2 I am looking for some yellow and blue clothes to wear at Fleetwood on Saturday - somehow we all have to do everything we can. however small, to help draw a line on this madness, otherwise what happens next?
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scooby added 15:36 - Mar 2 Is Russia still a communist country or was he voted in by the people?
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grinch added 17:57 - Mar 2 scooby the elections were rigged te opposition leader poisoned and imprisoned so no not elected as we know it
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bobble added 20:16 - Mar 2 scooby ...he got more a lot more votes than the queen did ...
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fifeblue added 21:22 - Mar 2 scooby: Russia is a failed state run by mafia thugs who stole and shared out the assets previously held by the Soviet State. They have a vote but their elections are rigged. All opposition is jailed or otherwise 'disposed of'. Putin is a fascist, not a communist; he believes in the superiority of the Russians and preaches that Europe is here for their benefit.
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Warky81 added 14:22 - Mar 3 Its a shame we don't still have our traditional away kit of yellow shirt & socks with blue shorts. We should reinvent it and wear it until Russia withdraw from Ukraine. Bobble don't get too political mate we all know war in any capacity is wrong and should always only be the last resort.
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bobble added 09:45 - Mar 5 warky...the people not being political is what causes dictatorships.. putin got where he is because the he was facilitated by british /western banks and governments who were willing to deal with a tyrant if there was a profit in it for the western business men...his henchmen ogliarchs were allowed to hide the wealth they stole off the russian people in british banks . his henchmen were allowed to purchase football league clubs along with non elected non democratic arab murdering leaders who chop up free journalists and hide their body parts in suitcases...!!! and the british government and the FA think thats all fine and dandy if theres a few bucks in it for them....stop living in fairy land and get political quick mate..

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