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A crater from an artillery or missile strike in the middles of Desna's pitch
Desna Chernihiv were seventh in the table when last season was cancelled

Denys says that his heart hurts when he thinks of the city. There's nothing left of our training ground after a missile hit it.

During the Ukrainian premier league's winter break, Metalist 1925 Kharkiv took part in a regular training session. Everything came to a halt two days later. There had been an invasion by Russia.

Despite the constant danger of the conflict, the Ukrainian Football Association is going to resume its domestic competition.

The rest of the football season was canceled in April. Just over half of the matches were played.

Following an order from president Volodymyr Zelensky, the new campaign would go ahead from 23 August.

The head of the Ukrainian Football Association believes that restarting football is a big step for the country.

It shows the world that Ukraine can win. It's a sign of our confidence.

Since Russia invaded the country, many teams have relocated to the west of the country, which is considered safer than other areas. There are people who plan to play in the capital or surrounding areas.

The team has been training in Uzhhorod, on the border with Slovakia, 1,300 km away from their hometown. People in parts of Kharkiv think the war is similar to Chernobyl.

When the players met up again, they talked about where they were when the war began. Soon after, they were married.

We are working on training. Our fans want us to win every match.

The Ministry of Defence and the Ukrainian FA are talking about how to hold the matches. It is expected that spectators won't be able to attend. The stadiums will have bomb shelters.

All leagues will play. He says this will raise spirits.

Anna Myronchuk is a player for the women's side of the club. If only for a short time, she says it helps take their minds off the war.

She says that getting back on the field is a big joy for every player.

We go back to our phones and look at the news.

Desna's shell-damaged football stadium
Two of the teams that played in the cancelled campaign last season will be unable to compete in 2022-23

A number of Myronchuk's team-mates were forced to live in a Bunker after Russia invaded.

No one knew what would happen to football.

The director paid us our wages despite abandoning us. The players were given individual tasks to complete. Training alone is not the same as having a yoga instructor.

Shakhtar and the national side played a series of friendly games outside the country in order to raise money for charity.

Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoily Trubin says that some of the players cried after the national anthem.

I was raised byShakhtar. I like putting the Shakhtar shirt on.

Shakhtar have been in exile for eight years because of the conflict in the east of the country. There is a war going on with Russia.

The first leg of the qualification play-off between the two teams will be held in Poland.

Two of last year's top-flight clubs are not likely to return this year.

When Russia invaded, they were seventh in the table. The city of Chernihiv was surrounded by Russian troops by the end of March.

Thousands of people were trapped in the city. Civilian buildings and residential areas are being targeted.

The home ground of Desna was damaged. The coaching team took up arms and joined in the city's defense, while the club helped raise funds. There is a lot of work to be done after the Russians left.

Oleksandr Drambayev was a player for Mariupol FC. After almost three months of relentless assault, the city has been taken over by the Russians.

The 21-year-old defender was on loan from Shakhtar.

Russian tanks rolled over the border in February. He was told before he boarded the flight that his country had been invaded.

Missiles had hit buildings near the homes of other team mates. It was a reality hit. He wouldn't be returning. He was told to look for a new team and is currently at a Belgian side. He still likes his old club.

He said he misses Mariupol with all his heart.

I fell in love with the place. The pitch is new and beautiful. I wore my Mariupol shirt here.

It is an act of bravery to restart the sport in the country. I'm happy about it, but I'm concerned.

Svitlana Libet reports additional information.