NRL 2024: Ukrainian rugby league star Volodymyr Mashkin’s family killed in Russian missile strike
The wife and eight-year-old daughter of international Ukrainian rugby league player Volodymyr Mashkin have tragically been killed in a Russian missile strike.
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The wife and eight-year-old daughter of an international Ukrainian rugby league representative player have been killed in a Russian missile strike.
Volodymyr Mashkin’s wife Vitalina and eight-year-old daughter Kira died during a deadly attack on Kharkiv, located in Ukraine’s northeast.
The deaths of Vitalina and Kira have rocked the Ukrainian rugby league.
Russia’s attacks on Kharkiv, Kyiv and Pavlohrad on January 23 killed 18 civilians with a missile striking the building where Mashkin lived with Vitalina and Kira.
Mashkin, a 36-year-old second-rower, has played 13 internationals for Ukraine, the most recent being against Greece three months ago.
He made his international rugby league debut in 2009 and was expected to play for Ukraine in World Cup qualifiers in October this year.
Mashkin, who has scored two international tries, plays for club side Kharkiv Legion.
He can also play fullback.
“Just a few months ago, Volodymyr was representing Ukraine in the national side. Sadly this is the reality for these families,” said Matt Girvan, Ukraine’s Australian media manager.
“These families face the risk that they could be bombed and that has happened to this family. It’s really hard.
“Volodymyr has been in their national team for quite a few years and plays for the Kharkiv Legion club over there.
“These are civilian casualties. Missiles are targeting civilian buildings, they aren’t military targets, and it’s a really difficult concept for us in Australia.
“We just don’t have anything similar at all to this in Australia. We are very lucky but over there that is what they are going through.
“The Australian Government has provided support in many ways over time, which has been great and it needs to continue that support.
“We can’t and don’t want to see these deaths continuing to happen.”
Ukraine is running a domestic competition which has been reduced to 9s due to the number of players enrolled in defence forces.
Ukraine – a full-member member of the European Rugby League – will compete with nations including France, Italy, Wales and Ireland at the World Cup qualifiers.
No locations for the qualifiers have been confirmed.
Mashkin was named man-of-the-match in Ukraine’s shock 26-22 win over BARLA (British Amateur Rugby League Association) Young Lions in 2013.
The European Rugby League will finalise its international schedule in March.
Ukraine is 20th in the International Rugby League world rankings.
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Ukrainian rugby league star Volodymyr Mashkin’s family killed in Russian missile strike
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