Kickboxing world champion on frontline in Ukraine shot dead by Russian soldiers

Frankivsk Mayor Ruslan Martsynkiv has confirmed that four-time kickboxing world champion Vitaly Merinov, 32, died in hospital after being caught in Russian fire as he fought Vladimir Putin's troops< /p> At one point he was injured but quickly returned to the front line (

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A kickboxing world champion who was on the front line in Ukraine since the start of the conflict has tragically died.

Ukrainian fighter and kickboxing world title holder Vitaly Merinov, 32, was killed by a Russian bullet on March 31.

Ruslan Martsynkiv, the mayor of Frankivsk, broke the news, confirming that Merniov died in hospital after being caught in enemy fire while fighting Vladimir Putin's boys.

The four-time champion, who had already been injured in combat but quickly returned to the front line, was then shot again in the leg.

Mayor Martsynkiv said: "During one of the fights, Vitaly was shot in the leg. He recovered and returned to the front and defended Ukraine until his last breath."

He still has a wife and a two-year-old daughter. Sincere condolences to the family and loved ones. Eternal memory to the Hero!"

Vitaly was a four-time kickboxing world champion (

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