“One of our employees was killed, he was a children’s coach,” Shakhtar CEO Serhiy Palkin confirmed in a Facebook post. “He was hit by a fragment of a Russian bullet.” The Russian government’s attack on Ukraine has hit one of the most important clubs in Ukraine. Shakhtar Donetsk is one of the most successful clubs in the country, having won 13 league titles, 13 Ukrainian Cups, nine Ukrainian Super Cups and the UEFA Cup.
It is not the only sector of the football world affected by this conflict. Just two days ago, two Ukrainian soccer players died. “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 Ukrainian Premier League is currently suspended due to the Russian invasion. Shakhtar top the table, two points ahead of reigning champions Dynamo Kyiv.