Russia killed 591 Ukrainian athletes and coaches, 22 of them are in captivity – MFA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported this on the social network X, as reported by Ukrinform.

“As of March 2025, 591 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russia, 22 are in captivity, and 11 are missing. As a result of Russia's attacks, 725 sports facilities have been damaged or destroyed, including 17 Olympic, Paralympic and Deaflympic training facilities,” the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that for many years Russia has used sport as a propaganda tool: 10 of the 15 Russian athletes competing under a neutral flag at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris either openly supported the war or had ties to the military.

“Russian sport is inseparable from the state – this is one of the ways to justify and incite aggression. Those who claim that sport should be outside of politics should also realize that Russia uses sport as a political weapon,” the Foreign Ministry noted.

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While Ukraine seeks peace, Russia continues to launch missiles and undermine global peace efforts, the Foreign Ministry stressed, warning that Russia should have no place in international sport until it stops its atrocities against Ukraine.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly supported Russia's return to international football at the UEFA Congress in the Serbian capital on April 3.