Watch the video: the Ukrainian city mourns the death of kickboxing world champion Vitaly Merinow.
STORY: Great sympathy for the death of four-time Ukrainian kickboxing world champion Vitaly Merinow on Monday in Ivano-Frankivsk. The 32-year-old was fatally injured a few days ago in fighting against the Russian attackers in the east of the country and then died in a hospital. The sadness of acquaintances, friends and relatives is enormous: Boriusyk, Merinow’s godfather: “He was a person who took part in everything. I’m not saying that because he was my godchild, but because he really helped everyone: the children, the people, the needy. I am without words. When the war started in 2014, he was one of the first to volunteer. Then it went on in 2022. He was also a member of parliament and did a lot of good for the city. Unfortunately, taking the enemy always has the best. May he rest in peace. I am filled with sorrow.” Taras Mstyslav, Merinov’s friend: “You can see for yourself that thousands of Ivano-Frankivsk residents came to say goodbye to him. This is a sign that he loved people and people loved him too.” Among the mourners were Merinow’s mother, his wife and his two-year-old daughter. His story is just one of thousands. There are currently no exact figures on how many people have died since the Russian army invaded Ukraine more than a year ago.