Rest in peace, Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro ‘Dima’ Martynenko
Two Ukrainian footballers have died as a result of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, according to the global players’ union, FIFPRO.
Vitalii Sapylo, 21, was a former Karpaty Lviv youth player, while Dmytro ‘Dima’ Martynenko, 25, played for regional side FC Gostomel.
The global players’ union, FIFPRO, expressed its sorrow at the losses, saying: “Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and team-mates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo (21) and Dmytro Martynenko (25), football’s first reported losses in this war. May they both rest in peace.”
Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and teammates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo (21) and Dmytro Martynenko (25), football’s first reported losses in this war.
May they both rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/f6l9oHHRMr
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) March 1, 2022
Karpaty announced the death of Sapylo in a statement, which read: “On Friday, February 25, a pupil of our school Vitalii Sapylo died near Kyiv. Sincere condolences to the family. Eternal memory of the hero!”
As per stadiumastro, Sapylo was reportedly a tank commander who died in conflict with Russian forces while defending Kyiv.
The report adds that Ukrainian media cited a report on the Kyiv-Sviatoshynskyi football federation Facebook page in announcing the death of Martynenko, stating that he and his mother died after their house was hit by a bomb.
Martynenko recently played for FC Hostomel and was named the best player in the second division last season, where he was also top scorer.
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