The 56-year-old instructed the BBC he did not hesitate in returning domestic as soon as his son informed him remaining week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had launched navy action.
"My son referred to as me at four:30am and he advised me the Russians attacked us. I knew then that I could go back to Ukraine to fight," he said.
Vernydub is certainly one of numerous well-known Ukrainian sporting personalities, such as world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, who've returned domestic to combat.
Vernydub got the call while in Portugal for a Europa League play-off fit -- Sheriff misplaced on consequences to Braga after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.
While Sheriff play in the Moldovan league, they're from Transnistria, a seasoned-Russian separatist kingdom created after a civil struggle following the fall apart of the Soviet Union.
Vernydub, who ended his gambling profession at Russian facet Zenit Saint Petersburg, spent eleven hours journeying domestic to Ukraine on Saturday.
Many of his family tried to dissuade him.
"I thank my wife for supporting me," he said.
"She is aware of my person. If I make a decision, I won't trade it."
- 'United us as a country' -
