DNIPRO, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa are all Ukrainian places that have come to wider attention for the wrong reasons in recent weeks, as well as their capital Kyiv. All hosted international football matches over the past year. All are now under attack by Russia.
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough and his team were in that first-named city last June for a pre-Euros friendly and he expressed sympathy and support for Ukraine as it continues to be targeted by Russia:
"We were treated very well in Dnipro and I am one of those who when I wake up every morning I look at my phone and it is shocking, harrowing and upsetting.
"It doesn't matter how far we may be away from Ukraine. What is happening is something that saddens me in life that we are talking about this that we would never imagined to be part of.
"A country in Europe is being invaded by another country and all our best wishes and goodwill go out to the people of Ukraine. The way that they are dealing with it and fighting it is so admirable.
"They are good people and they don't deserve it. Hopefully something can come in the next days and weeks that puts an end to it all for those people. From what I can gather it is for unjust reasons and there is no need for it at all."
Baraclough urged people to help Ukraine in any way, as he has been doing himself:
"[IFA chief executive] Patrick Nelson has been in touch with his counterpart over in Ukraine. There are things that are being done for the people of Ukraine in Northern Ireland and elsewhere and I have done small things with my kids putting a couple of boxes together that would go to someone who is putting aid together.
"However we can help in a small way is needed and our best wishes to everyone there. When you see somewhere like that so close where you visited last year and were treated very well and to see the shocking sights it brings it home to you that you can't take anything for granted."
The awful attacks on Ukraine put most other matters into perspective, but Baraclough was speaking in preparation for two friendlies later this month, away to Luxembourg (Friday March 25) and then at home to Hungary (Tuesday March 29).
He has issued first senior call-ups to Fleetwood Town winger Paddy Lane and Sunderland's Trai Hume, but injuries have ruled out the experienced duo of Jonny Evans and Conor Washington, with Jamal Lewis, Jordan Jones, Dale Taylor, and Ethan Galbraith also absent.
Back in the squad, though, are Daniel Ballard, Matthew Kennedy, Liam Donnelly, Shayne Lavery, and Dion Charles.
Those last two are likely to compete for a place up front with Josh Magennis, given that Hearts forward Liam Boyce remains in self-imposed international exile.
Baraclough would love to have 'Boycie' back on board but says: "It's his choice. When I last spoke to him I said 'I won't close the door on you'.
"He has made a choice that he wants to spend a bit of time with the family or concentrate on club issues. Him and Michael Smith are both at the same club [Hearts], funnily enough, and they have made the decision that they don't want to be included in a squad at the moment and I respect that.
"I want as many players to choose from as possible. 'Boycie' could be hitting 20 goals this season and to not have someone like that to select for Northern Ireland is going to disappoint everybody. I do totally respect the decision.
"We have had good conversations and it is something he feels he needs to do at the moment. I concentrate on those that are available. I think we have a strong squad of players and some really good up and coming talent. I think the striking department we have chosen are in good form and hopefully they can come in and show that."
Northern Ireland senior squad (for friendlies v Luxembourg and Hungary):
Goalkeepers: Peacock-Farrell (Sheff Wed, on loan from Burnley), Hazard (HJK Helsinki, on loan from Celtic), Southwood (Reading);
Defenders: Cathcart (Watford), Ferguson (Rotherham), Ballard (Millwall, on loan from Arsenal), Flanagan (Shrewsbury), Brown (Oxford, on loan from Cardiff), Bradley (Liverpool), McNair (Middlesbrough), Trai Hume (Sunderland);
Midfielders: Davis (Rangers), McGinn (Dundee), C Evans (Sunderland), Dallas (Leeds), Saville (Millwall), Thompson (Stoke), McCann (Preston), Lane (Fleetwood), Kennedy (Aberdeen), Donnelly (Motherwell);
Forwards: Magennis (Wigan), Whyte (Oxford, on loan from Cardiff), Charles (Bolton), Lavery (Blackpool).
