At least 77 top Ukrainian athletes from different disciplines have died as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to a count by a local sports NGO that includes victims registered up to 11 July.
The local Ukrinform news agency cites the report, prepared by the NGO Sports Angels, which contains information on the deaths of these athletes in various circumstances since the Russian invasion began on 24 February.
The Ukrainian agency also indicates that the NGO's website will soon update this information to include seven other Ukrainian athletes who have died in recent weeks.
The list includes kick boxing specialist Mykola Zabavchuk, rugby league player Maksym Shvets, and local strongman champion Vasyl Paveliev.
The deceased also include swimmer Volodymyr Ulianytsky, water polo coach Vitaliy Lysun, sports gymnast Daria Kurdel and football player Serhiy Balanchuk.
The Sport Angels website was created in Ukraine a few months ago to provide information about athletes who died in the war, some of them after enlisting in the country's armed forces. The site was created with the assistance of the Ukrainian Sports Committee.