A former member of the Russian national team was killed in the battle in Ukraine

Russian media said Sunday that Aleksei Bugayev, a former player for Russia’s national soccer team who competed at Euro 2004, was murdered in the 34-month-old conflict in Ukraine, according to his father and agency.

“I regret to inform you that Aleksei has passed away. Ivan Bugayev, the player’s father, told the Sport24 news outlet, “It happened today,” according to the TASS news agency.

Intense fighting had prevented Bugayev’s body from being retrieved for burial, according to Anton Smirnov, Bugayev’s representative, who was quoted by the RIA news agency.

In addition to playing for Moscow teams Torpedo and Lokomotiv as well as other provincial teams, Bugayev, who passed away at the age of 43, participated in two games for the Russian national team during the 2004 European championship. At the age of 29, he retired from professional sports in 2010.

A court in southern Russia sentenced Bugayev to nine and a half years in jail in September on charges of narcotics trafficking.

Later, he said that he will enlist to serve in the war in Ukraine. For the conflict, Russian authorities actively recruit in prisoners.