Minister of Youth and Sports Vadim Gutzeit announced that 361 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have died in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Currently, more than 3,000 athletes are defending our land as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Gutzeit shared this information on his Facebook page, saying,

"On Defender of Ukraine Day, we remember and are grateful for the freedom and dignity we have. We bow our heads to those who gave their lives for our freedom. 361 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have died in the Russian-Ukrainian war. They have become sports angels. The candle of memory will always burn in our hearts."

He also added that currently, over 3,000 athletes and coaches are defending our land within the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, continuing the millennia-old tradition of the Ukrainian military.