Two Ukrainian footballers, Dmytro Martynenko and Vitalii Sapylo have been confirmed dead.
The duo were reportedly killed in the battle to defend their country following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military.
Their death was confirmed via a statement by the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO).
Sapylo was part of Karpaty Lviv’s youth team and was just 21-years-old.
Martynenko on the other hand, played for FC Gostomel.
FIFPRO confirmed the deaths of the youngsters in a statement on their official Twitter account.
The statement 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.”
The attack on Ukraine by the Russian military has forced Ukrainian athletes to move in defence of their country, with over 300 casualties recorded in the fighting, according to the United Nations (UN).
