Shakhtar Donetsk have confirmed a youth coach has died defending Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade neighbouring Ukraine last Thursday February 24, triggering a bloody war in eastern Europe.
“One of our employees was killed, he was a children’s coach,” confirmed Shakhtar CEO Serhyi Palkin on Thursday evening. “He was hit by a fragment of a Russian bullet.”
The news comes just two days after two Ukrainian footballers were killed in the conflict.
“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and team-mates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko, football’s first reported losses in this war,” read a FIFPRO statement.
“May they both rest in peace.”
Shakhtar are one of Ukraine’s most successful clubs, winning 13 league titles, 13 Ukrainian Cups, nine Ukrainian Super Cups, and the UEFA Cup.
The Ukrainian Premier League is currently suspended due to Russia’s invasion. Shakhtar are top of the table, two points ahead of defending champions Dynamo Kyiv.
