What happened
24‑year‑old forward of FC Kolos's second team Danylo Kolesnyk found himself at the center of a scandal after a video appeared online showing him striking an employee of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC). The video was initially posted on the player's Instagram — it was later deleted and the account made private, but copies quickly spread to other platforms. The incident was reported by UNN, citing the club's official statement.
Club reaction
"Football Club 'Kolos' and personally the club president Andriy Zasukha apologize to the Ukrainian community and, in particular, to our servicemen... At the moment the player has been suspended from participation in the training process and today he will be released from the 'Kolos‑2' team. FC 'Kolos' fundamentally condemns any manifestations of violence and unlawful behavior..."
— official statement of FC «Kolos» (Facebook), quoted by UNN
The club reacted promptly: the player was temporarily suspended from training and the club announced its intention to terminate his employment. The statement emphasized the unacceptability of violence, especially against servicemen — an aspect that carries particular public resonance during the war.
TRC reaction and public response
"By his anthropometric data the forward of Kolos's second team... is fully suitable for the air assault troops. And why wouldn't the young man go on contract service, not waiting for mobilization and reaching conscription age, to vent his rage fighting the enemy"
— message from the Kyiv Regional TRC
The TRC's comment added a political and ethical dimension to the discussion: part of the audience saw the incident as a reason to talk about the responsibility of public figures and possible avenues for atonement through service, while others viewed it as a signal for serious disciplinary and legal consequences. Copies of the video circulated rapidly on social networks, increasing pressure on the club.
Context and consequences
Why this matters. In wartime, standards of conduct for representatives of institutions — from government to sport — are under heightened scrutiny. Violent actions undermine trust in the club, affect the team's reputation and may have legal consequences for the player.
What next. The official suspension and announced dismissal are the first step; further measures by law enforcement and football authorities are possible. For clubs, this is a signal of the need for clearer ethical rules and proactive communication.
About the player
Danylo Kolesnyk (born 2001), centre‑forward. This season for Kolos‑2 he played 16 matches and scored 6 goals; he previously appeared for Mynai, Livyi Bereh and VPK‑Agro. His biography also includes an episode in 2022: at a training camp in Turkey he was involved in a conflict with players of Russia's Shinnik when he defended a hotel cleaner — at the time, stepping in to defend staff was perceived differently.
Question to the reader: Is the club's reaction sufficient to restore trust, and what role should clubs and leagues play in shaping professional ethics during a national crisis?
