Former football player, ex-defender of Ukrainian teams Mykola Zakotyuk has been wounded at the front. This was reported by the press service of the Rivne Regional Football Association. The 50-year-old defender of Ukraine is currently in the hospital, he faces a long rehabilitation.
The military's wife said that Mykola joined the army on April 19, 2025, and held the defense near Kostiantynivka, where he was wounded by a mine. In the past, Zakotyuk played for teams such as 'Karpaty', 'Skelya', 'Lviv', 'Veres', 'Borysfen' and others. The highest achievement of the football player is the final of the Ukrainian Cup in 1999, when 'Karpaty' lost to Kyiv's 'Dynamo'. After finishing his player career in 2007.
Earlier, defender Mykyta Kalin, who also defended Ukraine, was killed. His death occurred during hostilities in the Izium district of Kharkiv region. It is also necessary to mention the death of former NaUKMA student Artem Drobot, who died in Donetsk region. He was only 23 years old.
The news about Mykola Zakotyuk's injury, a former football player who joined the army and was wounded at the front, shocked the public. His trials have become another example of the sacrifice and courage of Ukrainian defenders who protect the country from external threats.