Why don't PHP statements work in MODX snippet?

Question

MODX

Hello! There is a simple task to split a string on a space character.
The call is as follows:

flip snippet code:

$sites = explode(" ", $site);
echo $sites[0];

The $site variable receives the string "naturalbirth.rf bigfamily.rf"
The $sites[0] array element returns the entire string, not the part of the string up to the space.
The same happens with any characters to separate.
If you declare a variable manually, then it normally separates:

$site = "естественныероды.рф большаясемья.рф";
$sites = explode(" ", $site);
echo $sites[0];

Answer 1

Maybe in usr.website  instead of a space?

Answer 2

Alas, but no