Former Russian international footballer Aleksei Bugayev, 43, has tragically lost his life while fighting in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Bugayev’s father, Ivan Bugayev, confirmed the news, saying, “Unfortunately, it’s true. Aleksei passed away today,” as reported by TASS news agency through Sport24.
According to Bugayev’s agent, Anton Smirnov, intense combat conditions have made recovering his body for burial impossible, RIA news agency reported.
Bugayev represented Russia in two matches during the 2004 European Championship. He also played for Moscow clubs Torpedo and Lokomotiv, as well as other provincial teams, before retiring from professional football in 2010 at just 29.
In September, Bugayev was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison on drug trafficking charges by a court in southern Russia. While serving his sentence, he volunteered to join the conflict in Ukraine.
The Russia-Ukraine war, nearing its third year, has seen mounting casualties, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to push for increased military recruitment.
Bugayev’s death highlights the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing conflict, extending beyond the battlefield.
