Ukrainian soccer players first athletes to die in war

A growing number of Ukrainian athletes are enlisting to defend their country from the Russian invasion that began last week. From former world boxing champions Vitaly and Vladimir Klitschko to soccer players and coaches, the list goes on.

Two of those patriotic athletes have already lost their lives. 

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) reported Tuesday night that players Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko, aged 21 and 25 respectively, died while fighting to protect their homeland. 

"Our thoughts are with the families, friends and teammates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko, football’s first reported losses in this war. May they both rest in peace," FIFPro said.

Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and teammates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo (21) and Dmytro Martynenko (25), football’s first reported losses in this war.

May they both rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/f6l9oHHRMr

— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) March 1, 2022

Vitalii Sapylo, 21, belonged to the Karpaty Lviv youth team, while Dmytro 'Dima' Martynenko, 25, played for FC Gostomel.

Karpaty announced Sapylo's death and said in a statement that his passing occurred on Friday, February 25 "near Kiev" in a "battle with Russian forces while defending" the Ukrainian capital. "Eternal memory of this hero," his club wrote.

Martynenko, meanwhile, was killed along with his mother after a bomb hit his home, a Facebook post revealed. 

Yevhen Malyshev, a 20-year-old biathlete, was also killed in combat after putting his professional career on hold and joining the fight against Putin's invading forces. 

The International Olympic Committee urged the federations to ban Russian athletes from international competitions as long as their country continues with the war in Ukraine.