Oleksandr Zinchenko claims Instagram deleted his post telling Vladimir Putin to die

The Ukraine international said he hopes Putin dies

Oleksandr Zinchenko has claimed that Instagram deleted his Instagram post saying he hopes Vladimir Putin suffers the 'most painful suffering death' after the Russian president launched a full-scale invasion on his native Ukraine. The Ukraine and Manchester City left-back posted an image of Putin on his Instagram story with the the caption: "I hope you die the most painful suffering death, creature." However, that post has since been taken down and the 25-year-old claims that Instagram deleted his post in what would appear to be an attempt to censor the footballer. On Tuesday, Zinchenko stated that he 'can't stand back' while 'the whole civilised world is concerned about my country'. https://twitter.com/ZoryaLondonsk/status/1496773894350557187 Russia officially launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine under order from President Putin, with the "special military operation" announced by Putin in the early hours on Thursday, February 24, in which he warned the West will face "consequences never encountered in your history" should they try to intervene.

Following initial reports of airstrikes and explosions across cities such as Kyiv, Podilsk, Kharkiv, Mariupol and more, an update confirmed that nearly all major parts of Ukraine have been subject to Russian attacks.

According to reports, at least seven people have already been confirmed dead, with one attack in Podilsk, a city just outside Odessa, claiming six while another seven were injured. At least 19 people are also still unaccounted for.

In an emotional message on Tuesday, Zinchenko, who began his career at Russian club FC Ufa, said: "The whole civilised world is worried about the situation in my country.

"I can't stay back and strive to put my point across. In the photo - my country. The country where I was born and raised.

"A country whose colours I defend in the international sports arena. A country that we try to glorify and develop.

"A country whose borders must remain inviolable. My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it. We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine."

It comes after the footballer's wife, Vlada Shcheglovam, who is a journalist, posted a photo of a pro-Ukraine rally in London on Wednesday evening.

Related links:

• Reporters in Ukraine interrupted by explosions and missiles overhead
• Ukraine’s Twitter compares Putin to Hitler after Russia launch full-scale invasion
• Andriy Shevchenko joins Zinchenko with defiant statement on Russia-Ukraine conflict