Rinat Akhmetov, President of FC Shakhtar Donetsk and shareholder of SCM, met the club's senior management and head coach in Kyiv on 17 August 2026. He was joined by Chief Executive Officer Sergei Palkin, Sporting Director Darijo Srna and Head Coach Arda Turan. The meeting was held on the eve of the team's Ukrainian Premier League match against Kharkiv. The participants discussed the team's preparation, further strengthening of the squad before the close of the transfer window, and the main tasks ahead of the start of the UEFA Champions League league phase, which our football club Shakhtar Donetsk reached after winning the 2025/26 Ukrainian Premier League.
Who took part in the meeting in Kyiv?
The meeting in Kyiv brought together Rinat Akhmetov, President of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Sergei Palkin, Chief Executive Officer of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Darijo Srna, Sporting Director of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, and Arda Turan, Head Coach of the team. It took place before the league match against Kharkiv.
What was discussed?
The participants discussed the current preparation of the team, the strengthening of the squad before the transfer window closes, and the key tasks before the start of the UEFA Champions League.
Rinat Akhmetov, President of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, said:
"We met with Arda Turan, Darijo Srna and Sergei Palkin to discuss what else we can do to help the team and how we can strengthen it. We have not done everything we planned, and we have another 17 days. A difficult and important road lies ahead of us in the Ukrainian championship. My colleagues, the presidents of other clubs, have done a great deal and have seriously strengthened their squads, so I am sure that the competition in the championship will be extremely difficult. Everyone is setting themselves the most ambitious goals, and we also want to create worthy competition and will do everything possible to defend the title."
Why does the Champions League matter for Shakhtar this season?
The league phase is the club's return to the main stage of European club football, and Mr Akhmetov set out what he expects from it.
"In the Champions League a wonderful journey awaits us. I am convinced that the players will get great enjoyment from playing at the highest level. We will also work with a higher pulse and I hope that together we will get many positive emotions from good results. We will continue to discuss what else we can do to help the team, so that it is as ready as possible for the season."
What did Rinat Akhmetov say to the head coach about Ukraine?
Mr Akhmetov thanked Arda Turan for his work in Ukraine during the war and expressed confidence in the country's future.
"Arda, thank you very much for being here, in our country. Like all Ukrainians, you wake up to missiles and bombs. You are an ambassador of the Turkish people. I know that Türkiye supports us and that the Turkish people support us. I think that Ukraine will hold out and will receive a just, long-lasting peace. I do not just think so — I am convinced that Ukraine will receive a just and long-lasting peace."
When does Shakhtar'sщ Champions League campaign begin?
The draw for the UEFA Champions League league phase takes place on 27 August 2026 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The first matches of the league phase are played between 8 and 10 September 2026. Shakhtar Donetsk enters the draw in the third seeding pot.
