Former Russian Soccer Player Killed Fighting in Ukraine

Alexei Bugayev, once a national team defender, was recruited from prison by Russian forces and died in combat at age 43.

Alexei Bugayev, who played professionally in Russia from 2001 to 2010 and represented the national team at Euro 2004, has died in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
After being convicted of attempted drug trafficking in 2023, Bugayev was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison in September 2024.
While incarcerated, Bugayev was recruited by Russian military forces, part of a broader strategy of enlisting prisoners for the war effort.
His father and agent confirmed his death, with ongoing combat preventing the recovery of his body for burial.
Bugayev's death highlights Russia's controversial use of poorly equipped prison recruits, often sent to the frontlines in high-risk operations.