Mariupol defender Oleksandr “Grek” Afendikov received his own apartment from the founder of the Foundation and president of FC Shakhtar, Rinat Akhmetov

Over the past three years, Mariupol defenders have received 321 apartments from Rinat Akhmetov

Oleksandr Afendikov, call sign “Grek,” is originally from the Donetsk region. He was an active FC Shakhtar supporter within the fan movement, and with the beginning of the war he stood up to defend his homeland. He met the full-scale invasion as part of what was then the Azov Separate Special Purpose Detachment (now the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov”), serving as a grenade launcher operator. In Mariupol, he directly participated in combat operations. On May 18, 2022, the defender of Mariupol went into captivity and spent the entire period in Olenivka.

After being released from captivity, Oleksandr underwent rehabilitation and returned to service, continuing to serve in the 12th Azov Brigade in Donbas as a junior sergeant in the internal security unit.

Supervisory Board Chair of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation Nataliia Yemchenko and the Foundation’s CEO Kseniia Sukhova presented an apartment to Mariupol defender Oleksandr Afendikov. FC Shakhtar Sporting Director Darijo Srna also attended the housewarming celebration. He congratulated the hero, wished him happiness in his new home, and presented him with a club jersey.

“When many Azov fighters were taken prisoner, our president [of the football club - ed.],  Rinat Akhmetov, spoke with Commander Redis. And he emphasized: ‘I do not need anything for myself, please help my servicemen.’ What we are doing today is the fulfillment of that agreement, of that conversation that took place four years ago. The president keeps his word! Commander Redis once again proves that he is a great man, a great captain. His people always come first for him. He never asked for anything for himself. I thank him, his soldiers, and glory to Ukraine!” commented Darijo Srna, Sporting Director of FC Shakhtar.

According to Nataliia Yemchenko, Rinat Akhmetov’s idea to create Heart of Azovstal was primarily driven by the desire to support the defenders of Mariupol, who are an example of courage and devotion to Ukraine.

“A decision emerged, and from that decision the Heart of Azovstal project was born, and it has now been operating for more than three years. And these apartments are part of that conversation. Today, this project exists because of the enormous respect that Rinat Akhmetov and the entire Heart of Azovstal team have for what our defenders did, are doing, and will continue to do. It comes from a deep desire not only to thank them, but to support them and make the greatest possible contribution to the lives and future of our defenders and their families,” emphasized Nataliia Yemchenko, Supervisory Board Chair of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

The apartment Oleksandr received became an important foundation for his future.

“We are very grateful both to the Foundation and personally to Rinat Leonidovych for supporting servicemen, especially supporters of Shakhtar Donetsk. This is a great deed,” says Oleksandr “Grek” Afendikov.

The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, in partnership with the NGO Heart of Azovstal, provides apartments to Mariupol defenders with Group I and Group II disabilities. For male and female defenders, this is not only a solution to important everyday issues, but also part of the path toward post-traumatic growth.