MILLWALL-loving Russian football fans have vowed to back England at Euro 2024 – saying politics and war won’t stop them cheering on the Three Lions.
The Anglophiles will be getting behind Harry Kane and the lads from their favourite boozer Churchill’s Pub in the heart of Moscow – just seven miles from the Kremlin.
Tucking into fish and chips while drinking London Pride beer, Millwall’s so-called “Russian Lions” wear their love of the English and England with pride.
And they will wave their St George’s cross flag despite the two countries being in a deep freeze amid Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats and his brutal war in Ukraine.
Churchill’s Pub is a haven of Englishness – decked with scarves, shirts, merch, football on the TV, and even a traditional red phone box outside.
They even have a Millwall-themed band now – Max & The Jellied Eels Inc.
And in 2019, the group was handed the title of the official Russian fan club of Millwall FC.
Standing proud in the window of their pub is a mannequin with a mock-up World War 2 hero Winston Churchill’s iconic bowler hat, dickie bow and waistcoat.
Russia has been banned from Euro 2024 – being suspended from all UEFA and FIFA competitions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The war has seen Putin’s nation become a pariah state – with Vlad now preferring to rub shoulders with tyrannical dictator pals like North Korea’s dumpy despot Kim Jong-un.
But the Russian footie fans insist amid the frosty politics, barbed threats and even talk of war – the beautiful game is the way to bring people across borders together again.
England games will be shown on the big screens at Churchill’s Pub – and they still manage to get EFL games using an internet TV stick despite official broadcast being banned in Russia.
The pub has also managed to start getting hold of bottled versions of Fuller’s beers – including their beloved London Pride – despite originally struggling due to sanctions.
Thankfully, the supply of potatoes and fish for their traditional suppers remains unhindered.
Millwall’s Russian fans told The Sun that they have never been hassled over their love of the English.
Maxim Prokhorenko, 45, head of the Russian Lions, told The Sun: “Churchill’s Pub is working as usual. It’s no problem in Russia with it.
“You can support any sports team you want.”
He added: “I don’t support the UK’s political course. But I love the UK and have been there many times.
“I love London, I love the weather, I love your mentality and incredible sense of humour, my favourite restaurant in London is Manzes Pie and Eel House in Peckham.
“I love Cockney slang even though I don’t understand a thing, me old China.
“I even love tea with milk.
“And I love Millwall – no one can prohibit me to do this.”
Maxim previously explained he was introduced to Millwall while working with a British building firm on a job in Russia.
And now he told us his love of England was sparked while attending the World Cup in Italy back in 1990.
“I fell in love with the brilliant England team and with Gazza showing his best magic,” he said.
The engineer added that England have “everything” to win Euro 2024 – but just need “a bit of luck”.
Maxim said: “In every football tournament England is one of the favourites, but every time something goes wrong.
“Brilliant players, the EPL is the best league in the world, good managers, best fans.”
Maxim singled out Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham as the Three Lions top stars.
He added he thinks the Bayern Munich striker “deserves” a trophy – and just like his team “needs some luck”.
Real Madrid sensation Bellingham meanwhile is the “future” of England – with Maxim saying he is sure that 20-year-old Jude will get trophies with the Three Lions.
But he worried England could be let down by the team’s back line – with Harry Maguire left out of the squad with a calf injury.
England started off their campaign well with a win over Serbia – but today face Denmark, before going on to face Slovenia in their third game of the group stage.
The Three Lions went into the tournament as the narrow favourites over France – scoring 19.9% chance of winning according to sports firm Opta’s supercomputer simulation.
Maxim was clear to draw dividing lines between his country and his politics, saying while he thinks of himself as a “Russian patriot” he believes that “sport must be above politics”.
He said: “I have lots of mates in the UK – we are friends, cause we are fans of the same team and are missing each other now.
“They are waiting for the day to come to see beautiful Moscow and have a pint in Churchill’s, and we are waiting when we can visit home games at the Den and away games anywhere else in UK.”
Foreign Office travel advice says you currently cannot fly directly from Russia to the UK – or through EU countries.
And the UK does not issue visa-free travel to Russians.
Maxim was hopeful however that soon they would soon be able to come to the UK, but added “it is not the best time to travel”.
Another of the Russian Lions, Maxim Tcherviakov, added: “The relations between our countries leave much to be desired, but this does not affect the relations between people in any way. We communicate well with the English fans of Millwall.
“We have never had and cannot have any problems communicating with the British.”
And another fan, Dmitry Kokorin, told us that beers have become more expensive – but they still manage to get hold of British brews.
He said: “I hope they get back to the final. And they have a lot of quality players to win gold.
“But the only reason they won’t win is the head coach.
” I think Southgate is too cowardly to try and play a more aggressive style.”
Echoing his pals, he also said football remains above politics.
Dmitry said: “Football is out of politics. When we go to watch games in Churchill, some guys ask us which team we support and start cheering for Millwall.
“Nobody hates us here.”
