Polissya Zhytomyr 2–0 Rukh Vynnyky
Ukrainian Premier League – 24 May 2026

Polissya Zhytomyr closed out their Ukrainian Premier League campaign with a composed 2–0 victory over Rukh Vynnyky on a warm May evening at the Tsentralnyi Stadion. The home side, already assured of their top‑flight status for another season, dominated proceedings from the first whistle and never allowed the visitors to find a rhythm.

Match Overview

The first half was defined by Polissya’s relentless pressure. Midfielder Artem Kozak opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, latching onto a loose ball just outside the box and curling a low drive past Rukh goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk. The goal came after a sustained period of possession, with Polissya’s wing‑backs creating constant overloads down the flanks.

Rukh attempted to respond through quick transitions, but their final ball lacked precision. Centre‑back Oleksandr Romanchuk marshalled the defence with authority, cutting out several dangerous crosses before half‑time.

Second‑Half Decisiveness

Polissya doubled their lead in the 67th minute. A well‑worked corner kick found the head of defender Maksym Ivashchenko, who powered the ball into the net from six yards out. Rukh pushed forward in the final twenty minutes, but Polissya’s goalkeeper, Yevhen Kucherenko, remained largely untroubled, making only two routine saves.

The 2–0 scoreline reflected Polissya’s control throughout. The victory lifted them to 8th place in the final Ukrainian Premier League standings, while Rukh finished just outside the relegation playoff spot, a result that left them needing to regroup for the next season.

Key Performers

• Artem Kozak (Polissya): The midfielder’s early strike set the tone; he also completed 87% of his passes and won six duels.
• Maksym Ivashchenko (Polissya): Defensively solid and a threat from set pieces, his header sealed the win.
• Oleksandr Romanchuk (Polissya): Led the backline with eleven clearances and three interceptions.

For Rukh, the match ended a difficult run of form. They will look to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window after a season of inconsistency.