The International Shooting Sport Federation sends its condolences to the friends and family of Ukrainian athlete Oleksii Khabarov, who has been killed in combat at the age of 31.
Khabarov, who held the honorary title Master of Sport, was a stalwart of the shooting sport national team for over a decade - finishing 12th at the 2014 World Junior Championship in the men's 10m air rifle event. He also delivered his best results at the ISSF World Cup in 2021, before the invasion of Ukraine started in 2022.
His passing was confirmed by the Horishni Plavni branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, where he worked. There, he was pivotal to the development of sports for local children, providing them inspiration and encouragement. He also founded the Phoenix Shooting Club.
During his career, he was a multiple-time national record holder and national champion.
A post by the Horishni Plavni branch of the NOC of Ukraine said: "He was a scholarship recipient of our branch, organised numerous sporting events, brought children into sport, and inspired them by his own example. He was a true patriot and a brave man who gave the most precious thing, his life, for Ukraine's freedom."
ISSF President Luciano Rossi has sent a letter to the Ukrainian Shooting Federation, expressing his sorrow.
President Rossi said: "Oleksii should not only be remembered for his love for sport, but his passion for supporting the next generation. His work at the Phoenix Shooting Club and the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine will have a lasting impact on the children he inspired – an invaluable gift.
"He should also be remembered for his sacrifice. He was an elite athlete who paused his career to defend his country, and will forever be in the hearts and memories of the Ukrainian people.
"We continue to support Ukraine during this period of great pain, and support peace in your nation and an end to the invasion.
"May Oleksii’s memory be bright and eternal."
Khabarov, who held the honorary title Master of Sport, was a stalwart of the shooting sport national team for over a decade - finishing 12th at the 2014 World Junior Championship in the men's 10m air rifle event. He also delivered his best results at the ISSF World Cup in 2021, before the invasion of Ukraine started in 2022.
His passing was confirmed by the Horishni Plavni branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, where he worked. There, he was pivotal to the development of sports for local children, providing them inspiration and encouragement. He also founded the Phoenix Shooting Club.
During his career, he was a multiple-time national record holder and national champion.
A post by the Horishni Plavni branch of the NOC of Ukraine said: "He was a scholarship recipient of our branch, organised numerous sporting events, brought children into sport, and inspired them by his own example. He was a true patriot and a brave man who gave the most precious thing, his life, for Ukraine's freedom."
ISSF President Luciano Rossi has sent a letter to the Ukrainian Shooting Federation, expressing his sorrow.
President Rossi said: "Oleksii should not only be remembered for his love for sport, but his passion for supporting the next generation. His work at the Phoenix Shooting Club and the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine will have a lasting impact on the children he inspired – an invaluable gift.
"He should also be remembered for his sacrifice. He was an elite athlete who paused his career to defend his country, and will forever be in the hearts and memories of the Ukrainian people.
"We continue to support Ukraine during this period of great pain, and support peace in your nation and an end to the invasion.
"May Oleksii’s memory be bright and eternal."