West Ham United have given Andriy Yarmolenko time off after the Ukrainian requested a leave of absence amid the invasion in his homeland.
Russia has sent troops into the Eastern European nation with tensions rising.
Russian forces have taken control of Hostomel airfield near Kyiv, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence whilst troops are in northern districts of the capital Kyiv according to Ukraine.
Yarmolenko wore the captain's armband for his country at last summer's Euros.
He has amassed over 100 caps and is Ukraine's second all-time leading goalscorer with 44 goals.
This term the winger has made 21 appearances for the Hammers, who are again chasing the top four, but has been given permission to leave the squad.
“He’s not in a really good position at the moment, I’ve got to say,” explained boss David Moyes.
“We’ve given him a few days off and that’s totally understandable.
“It’s very difficult but I’ve asked him and the club have been very good again and the club have asked me to speak with him and I’ve asked if there is anything we can do for him and if there is, we’ll certainly help him.
“He’s asked if he can have a few days off now and we’ve certainly granted him that. It’s a really difficult time for him and his family and we respect that.
“I spoke with him on Thursday at the training ground and he was upset, which you can imagine and rightly so, so we just hope everything goes well and all his family members keep safe.”
The Hammers boss continued: “I think the whole world is thinking and talking about it, aren’t we?” he continued. “We’re all deeply saddened by the actions and we’re all desperately hoping there are no deaths, but we know there already has been.
“We’re really saddened by it. We’ve just come out of the pandemic and the last thing we need is to have anything that goes close to the word ‘war’. We really don’t want that at all.”
Russia's decision has already had ramifications in the sporting world.
St Petersburg was due to host this season's Champions League final but UEFA have opted to move in to Paris, where it will now be played at the Stade de France.
A statement read: "UEFA wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to French Republic President Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and commitment to have European club football’s most prestigious game moved to France at a time of unparalleled crisis."
Teams from Ukraine or Russia, still participating in UEFA competitions, will also have to play their home games at neutral venues.
