Tragedy at the Front
During a combat mission in the Kupiansk direction, Mykola Hetmanov, a player of the Kharkiv rugby club 'Legion XIII' and a fighter of the special unit 'KORD', was killed. This was reported by the Rugby Federation of Ukraine.
Mykola was not only a talented athlete and a devoted player of his team but also a true patriot who took up arms to defend Ukraine from the very first days of the full-scale war.
His courage, willpower, and team spirit will forever remain an example for all who knew him, the statement from the Rugby Federation of Ukraine reads.
Mykola is survived by his wife and four-year-old son. The Rugby Federation of Ukraine expressed sincere condolences to the family, friends, and the entire sports community. His name will forever remain in the history of Ukrainian rugby and in the hearts of those who had the honor to be near him. Heroes do not die.
Memory of Vitaliy Rymaruk
It is worth noting that the titled Ukrainian athlete Vitaliy Rymaruk was also killed at the front.
The 26-year-old discus thrower was a champion of Ukraine among youth and a prize winner of the adult championships. Vitaliy served as an officer in the National Guard of Ukraine and was killed in the Pokrovsk direction in the Donetsk region.
He is survived by his wife and young daughter.
During the performance of their duties at the front, two outstanding Ukrainian athletes - Mykola Hetmanov and Vitaliy Rymaruk - lost their lives. Both dedicated their service to their country and will remain in the memory of the Ukrainian sports world as true heroes.