Two Ukrainian footballers and young skier killed during brutal Russian invasion
TWO Ukrainian footballers and a young skier have been killed as the brutal Russian invasion continues.
The athletes were mercilessly murdered by Putin's henchmen, as the death toll in Ukraine continues to climb.
Tragic youth-team player with second division team Karpaty Lviv, Vitalii Sapylo, 21, was slaughtered by Russian troops during a vicious battle near Kyiv.
He had joined the army as a tank commander to defend his country against the onslaught of Russian soldiers.
Dmytro Martynenko, 25, an amateur player with regional club FC Gostomel, died alongside his mother when their apartment block near the capital was bombed.
The footie aces were said to be the sport's "first reported losses in this war".
Sapylo was hailed as a "hero" by his heartbroken team after it emerged he had lost his life valiantly battling Russian troops last Friday.
A club statement said:"We cherish the eternal memory of this hero."
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International football union FIFPRO paid tribute to the pair in a poignant statement confirming their deaths.
It said: "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."
The sport finally took a stand against Putin's sickening regime this week, when Fifa booted Russia out of the World Cup.
Promising professional skier Yevhen Malyshev was also killed in combat while trying to stop the advances of the Russians.
The 20-year-old, who was part of Ukraine's junior team, temporarily hung up his skis two years ago to serve in the military,
The Ukrainian Biathlon Federation confirmed his tragic passing in a statement.
It said: "We deeply sing to the homeland, to friends and family. Eternal memory by Yevhen Malyshev."
The sporting world has been shaken by the deaths of the young stars, providing another stern reminder of the human cost of the conflict.
A string of well-known Ukrainian athletes have joined troops on the front line to defend their homeland.
Boxing champion Vasyl Lomachenko, 34, has enlisted himself in the territorial army.
He proudly shared a snap of himself donning military uniform, warning Russians a world champion in three different weight divisions was waiting for them.
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