Mariupol defender Oleksandr ‘Hrek’ Afendikov has received a flat from Rinat Akhmetov, President of FC Shakhtar. Over the past three years, 321 flats have been provided to Mariupol defenders by Rinat Akhmetov.
Oleksandr Afendikov, call sign ‘Hrek’, is originally from Donetsk Oblast. Prior to the war, he was an active supporter of FC Shakhtar and was involved in the organised fan movement.
He faced the full‑scale invasion while serving as a grenadier in what was then the Azov Special Operations Detachment (now the 12th Azov Special Purpose Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine). In Mariupol, he was directly engaged in combat operations. On 18 May 2022, the defender of Mariupol was taken into captivity and spent the entire period in Olenivka.
After his release from captivity, Oleksandr Afendikov underwent rehabilitation and returned to active duty, continuing his service with the 12th Azov Brigade.
The flat was presented to the defender by the Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, Nataliia Yemchenko, and the Foundation’s CEO, Kseniia Sukhova. Dario Srna, the sporting director of FC Shakhtar, also attended the housewarming.
“When a lot of members from Azov were taken into captivity, our president (of the football club – ed.) Rinat Akhmetov spoke with the commander, ‘Redis’. And he emphasised: “I don't need anything for myself; please help my soldiers.” What we are doing today is the fulfilment of that agreement, of that conversation which took place four years ago. The President keeps his word! Commander ‘Redis’ once again demonstrates that he is a remarkable man and an outstanding leader. For him, his people have always come first. He has never asked for anything for himself. My thanks go to him, to his soldiers, and glory to Ukraine!”, noted Darijo SRNA, Sporting Director of FC Shakhtar.
According to Nataliia Yemchenko, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, the idea of creating ‘The Heart of Azovstal’ was driven by the intention to support the defenders of Mariupol.
"A decision was made, and from that decision the ‘Heart of Azovstal’ project was born, which has been operating for more than three years now. And the flats are part of that conversation. Today, this project is being carried out with profound respect from Rinat Akhmetov and the entire ‘Heart of Azovstal’ team for what our defenders have done, are doing, and will continue to do. Out of a profound desire not merely to express gratitude, but to provide support and to contribute as much as possible to the lives and futures of our defenders and their families,” Nataliia YEMCHENKO emphasised.
“We are very grateful both to the Foundation and personally to Rinat Leonidovych for supporting the servicemen, especially the fans of Donetsk Shakhtar. It's a great deed,” comments Oleksandr ‘Hrek’ AFENDIKOV.
The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, in partnership with the NGO ‘Heart of Azovstal’, provides fully owned flats to Mariupol defenders with Group I and II disabilities. For the defenders, this is not only a solution to everyday living needs, but also a part of their post‑traumatic recovery journey.
