Ukraine's rugby champion died in the war with Russia

Andrii Hutsal, the Ukrainian rugby champion with Kyiv Polytechnic, died in the war against the Russian occupiers, the Ukrainian Rugby Federation (FRU) reports. The hero's life was tragically cut short while performing a combat mission.

"We received shocking news... Andrii Hutsal, a player of the RK Polytechnic, was killed while performing a combat mission. Another irreparable loss in our rugby family. We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends. Heroes do not die!" reads the obituary on the FRU's Facebook page.

Hutsal and his Polytechnic teammates shone in the 90s. After his professional career, he participated in many veteran tournaments.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, on February 3, a Ukrainian record holder who became the world and European powerlifting champion died in the war with the Russian occupiers.

Earlier, Denys Pashynskyi, the 1999 Universiade hockey champion, was killed on January 27 while performing a mission in the Donetsk area. The soldier of the 101st Separate Security Brigade of the General Staff of Ukraine named after Colonel General Hennadii Vorobyov was 45 years old.

On March 13 last year, Ukrainian rugby champion Oleksandr Moriev was killed in the battles for Bakhmut, defending the country from Russian aggression. The former Credo-1963 player joined the Armed Forces on February 24 after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion and participated in the defense of the city in Donetsk region.

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