MANCHESTER CITY star Oleksandr Zinchenko has spoken out on his love for his homeland of Ukraine as Russia presses on with its invasion.

In the latest deeply worrying development, Russian president Vladimir Putin has warned 'unparalleled' hypersonic missiles are ready for action.

Tanks and trucks have also been on the move amid concern Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, could be next in his sights.

Now Zinchenko, who was born in the historic city of Radomyshl, around 100 miles from the capital Kyiv, has said his country 'will not give up' in the face of Russian aggression.

The 25-year-old posted a map photo on Instagram, writing: "The whole civilized 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."

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Zinchenko had been the skipper of Shakhtar Donetsk’s youth team but at the age of 17 he was taken to Russia by his mother to escape conflict.

He played on concrete pitches for a non-league team called Meteor, for despite being seen at Shakhtar as a top prospect, none of the big clubs in the Russian capital were interested in him.

He found himself on trial at Rubin Kazan but his time in Tatarstan was a hand-to-mouth existence.

By the beginning of 2015 he was at another football outpost with Russian Premier League side Ufa — an 18-hour drive from Moscow.

Yet finally his career was in motion and 18 months later he became Pep Guardiola’s first buy at City.

PUTIN READY TO ESCALATE

Former Premier League star Andriy Shevchenko has also posted out a heartfelt tribute to his country of birth.

The former Chelsea ace, 45, wrote on social media: "Ukraine is my motherland! "I have always been proud of my people and my country!

"We have gone through many difficult times, and over the past 30 years we have formed as a nation!

"A nation of sincere, hardworking and freedom-loving citizens!

"This is our most important asset! Today is a difficult time for all of us. But we must unite!

"In unity we will win! Glory to Ukraine!"

Meanwhile, the world is on a knife edge waiting for Putin's next move, which could see the bloodiest conflict in Europe since WW2.

Ukraine has declared a state of emergency, allowing police to carry out random checks, and also announced all citizens will now be allowed to carry guns.

Putin has now given a chilling warning that “weapons without parallel in the world have been put on combat duty”.

His threat was delivered on Defender of the Fatherland Day – three days after he watched two of the new missiles tested from a Bond villain style “situation room”.

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